A VETERAN of many international encounters while playing for the Gilas Pilipinas men’s national basketball team, Cebuano wingman Roger Ray Pogoy offered sound advice to his young teammates.

“What I can tell them is not to play for yourself but for the 120 million Filipinos,” said Pogoy in Cebuano.

On Wednesday, Pogoy was named to the 12-man Gilas squad that will represent the country in the Fiba Asia Cup 2021 qualifier match against Indonesia this Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020.

“The players should do away with their egos as star players of different teams. We need teamwork,” said the pride of Talisay City.

While there are seven PBA players on the squad including team captain Kiefer Ravena, CJ Perez, Troy Rosario, Poy Erram, Justin Chua and Abu Tratter, there are also five neophytes — Thirdy Ravena, Juan Gomez De Liano, Isaac Go, Dwight Ramos and Matt Nieto.

Nevertheless, Pogoy asserted that he will always give his all for pride and country, especially since this has always been a dream of his ever since he was a young boy growing up in Cebu.

“I’m very happy that I got called up because it has always been my dream to play for Gilas,” he said.

Former Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. MVP Rey Anthony Suerte was named a reserve along with Javee Mocon and Jaydee Tungcab.

“The SBP extends its appreciation to all the players who were part of the pool for all the hard work they put in. We also thank the PBA teams that selflessly released the players requested by our coaching staff,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio in a statement.

“Our unit is one that features balance between youth and experience as we have seven PBA players, six of whom already have international basketball experience. Joining them are a group of hungry young players who are raring to represent the country and introduce themselves to the international basketball scene.”

“It will be a long journey to the Fiba Asia Cup but we’re confident that our team will once again show the region what Philippine basketball is all about,” Panlilio said. (JNP)