BASKETBALL world governing body Fiba named Cebuano wingman Roger Pogoy to its list of players who have shown immense improvements from the 2017 Fiba Asia Cup to the first window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers.

The 28-year-old native of Talisay City was one of seven players whose improvements have generated quite the buzz at Fiba. After competing in the 2017 Asia Cup and averaging just seven points and 3.5 rebounds per game in 16 minutes of action, Pogoy stepped up in the Gilas Pilipinas’ game versus Indonesia in the first window of the Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers.

In that game, Pogoy collected 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, six rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Fiba took notice and had this to say of the Cebuano’s play: “As a solid defensive wing who can score in multiple ways, Pogoy has been valuable to Gilas. Alongside veteran teammates with bigger roles like Jayson Castro, Pogoy has done well in plugging as a role player. Playing with a younger squad at the Qualifiers, the national team needed him to shoulder a bit more of the load and Pogoy responded with an efficient scoring game.”

Now considered to be a veteran of the national team, Fiba added that it expects more out of the former University of Cebu Baby Webmaster in the upcoming qualifying windows.

“A crucial indicator of how much Pogoy has added to his game might come in the later windows when the Philippines face Korea. At Asia Cup 2017, Pogoy recorded a solid 12 points on two three-pointers but he’ll be looking forward to avenge that loss,” Fiba said.

Joining Pogoy on the Fiba list were Muin Bek Hafeez of India, Iraq’s Hassan Abdullah, Maxim Marchuk of Kazakhstan, Jordan Ngatai of New Zealand, Abdelrahman Yehia Abdelhaleem of Qatar, and Syria’s Abdulwahab Alhamwi. (JNP)