Romwel Anzures

TNT Tropang 5G’s RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams vs. the San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals. Photo from PBA Images.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752487849853IMG_7410.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="TNT Tropang 5G’s RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams vs. the San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals. Photo from PBA Images."/>TNT Tropang 5G’s RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams vs. the San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals. Photo from PBA Images.</div>MANILA — RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams both defied the odds and went on to suit up for the TNT Tropang 5G in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals.Both are dealing with injuries, as Pogoy has hamstring issues while Williams is struggling with an ankle sprain. Despite this, the duo provided much-needed needed to give TNT a 1-0 lead over the San Miguel Beermen on Sunday.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/7/13/pba-hot-shooting-tnt-survives-san-miguel-s-4th-quarter-surge-to-draw-first-blood-2157">READ: Hot-shooting TNT survives San Miguel’s 4th quarter surge to draw first blood</a></div>“Willingness to win lang talaga, yun yung nagbigay ng kumpyansa sa amin,” said Pogoy, who torched San Miguel Beer with 23 points on 66.7% shooting from the field off the bench. “Ang dami na naming pinagdaanan, ngayon pa ba kami susuko?”Both players were doubtful to play at least in the early stages of the Finals, and Pogoy even shared how it was still in Game 2 of their semifinals clash vs. the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters wherein he played his last full-court match.“Sa totoo lang, hindi pa ako kasama sa 5-on-5 talaga, takbo takbo lang ako,” said the Cebuano sniper. “Sinabi ko lang na ‘pag pinasok ako, titira lang ako, buti na lang pumasok.”Williams, for his part, even started the contest, banging bodies with June Mar Fajardo throughout his almost 28 minutes of action.For Chot Reyes, however, while the two played significantly in Game 1, they are still taking a cautious approach as the series moves forward.“We’re trying to manage the minutes of so many players. We knew that we’re going to have a huge disadvantage because of the depth of San Miguel, so ang usapan lang namin is hang on as much as we can, and then find a way to win in the end,” he said.Still, the former Gilas Pilipinas mentor hailed how his two warriors persevered through their injuries especially since they are up against a deep SMB bench.“Hopefully, we can increase those minutes as the series goes by,” he said. “But, it’s a testament to the courage of these guys, playing through those injuries.”<div>Pogoy and Williams will hope to get enough rest and recovery ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday, July 16, 7:30 p.m., at the Araneta Coliseum. RELATED VIDEO: <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jT82BHCa-qY?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></div>

RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams both defied the odds and went on to suit up for the TNT Tropang 5G in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals.

RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams both defied the odds and went on to suit up for the TNT Tropang 5G in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals.

PBA: Reyes hails 'courageous' Pogoy, Williams for playing through injuries in Finals

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PBA: Reyes hails 'courageous' Pogoy, Williams for playing through injuries in Finals

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 14, 2025 06:38 PM PHT

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