Rookie of the Year plum gives Pogoy the jitters

MANILA, Philippines — The rookie jitters are only kicking in now. 

After being feted by the PBA as the best freshman of the season, Roger Pogoy can't help it but admit that he has become nervous.

"'Di ko ma-describe eh," he shared. "Parang kinakabahan na 'di ko alam."

"Siguro dahil marami pang kulang," the TNT KaTropa guard said. "Kasi 'yung 'Rookie of the Year,' bonus lang 'yan. Ang importante talaga is mag-champion."

Pogoy bested the fellow Gilas gunner Matthew Wright of the Phoenix Fuel Masters for the plum. Other candidates include the Star Hotshots' Jio Jalalon, who also played for Gilas; Kevin Ferrer of Barangay Ginebra and Reden Celda of Kia Picanto.

"Wala 'to sa isip ko," the Cebuano noted. "Parang dream lang. 'Di pa nagsi-sink in sa'kin."

Pogoy, who became Jayson Catro's runningmate in the Katropa backcourt, helped bail out the team numerous times in the playoffs. Together, they reached two penultimate phase twice and then once in the Finals.

Asked about what he aims to pull off next, the 6-foot-2 cager humbly said he's going to pour double the work into his game.

"Resulta 'to ng hard work ko kasi every ensayo, before and after, nageextra ako," he shared. "Kung pwede i-times two yung performance, i-times two ko."