VETERAN sharpshooter Roger Pogoy's return on the final day of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup elimination round was a timely boost for TNT.

Diagnosed with myocarditis at the close of Gilas Pilipinas' 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign in September last year, Pogoy was projected to be out for at least six months following a series of tests.

Yet, in a Divinely-orchestrated miracle, the 31-year-old Pogoy came back way ahead of the schedule, allowing him to see action for the first time this season.

The former Far Eastern U standout contributed 11 points as the Tropang Giga clobbered the Phoenix Fuel Masters 116-96 on Sunday to secure the eighth and last playoff spot.

The team closed the elims with a 5-6 record.

"It's Roger's first game in six months, and his energy was infectious. But Roger being Roger, if he can't score, he will play defense the whole night," TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa said during Sunday's post-game presser.

Pogoy, who logged in close to 21 minutes, added three rebounds, the same number of assists and two steals, while knocking down three triples.

Lastimosa said just the thought of seeing Pogoy back in the pink of health is great news that boosts everyone's confidence in the team.

"We're just happy to see him play again because for a while, we thought his return will take a while because the first prognosis was he'll be out for six months," related the 59-year-old concurrent TNT coach and manager.

"But he's back in three months and that's great news for all of us, not only on a career standpoint but just for Roger to be healthy again."

With TNT now securing the no. 8 seed, the team's next hurdle though will be playing top seed and title favorite Magnolia come Wednesday when the quarterfinals begin at the PhilSports Arena.

The Tropang Giga will have to beat the Hotshots twice to advance to the Final Four, a tall order for a team that has been hit by injuries, including Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who had to be replaced by his older brother Rahlir late last December.

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