Basketball: Pongia the comeback kid

Brendan Pongia in action for the Saints. Marty Melville/Getty Images

Brendon Pongia, 37 earlier this week, has made an amazing comeback after three years on the sidelines as a TV commentator.

Pongia was training with the North Harbour Heat and wondering about his career when he was invited to trial for the Good Morning show, made in Wellington.

"I was supposed to sign a contract with the Heat the week the show offer came and everything just slipped into place with Wellington," he said.

He spent the first part of the season on the bench but when Tall Black Brendon Polyblank suffered injury he stepped up to start and the Saints coach Gordy McLeod has praised Pongia's work as key in crucial wins.

Pongia started with Waikato as a 16-year-old in 1986.

"I can still remember Stan Hill sitting me on my backside and saying 'welcome to the game, son'."

He finished his time there by claiming a title with the club in 2002.

"I had a good long think about why I was coming back.

"I love the game, I also wanted to put something back in."

He also did not want to look tired and past it and credits good fitness with his good performance, along with a relaxed approach.

"I don't put unnecessary pressure on myself, I'm enjoying my basketball more than I ever have."

Pongia feels the loss to the Stars in Auckland came because the Saints took the game too casually. Tait was out after breaking his wrist, the Saints had whacked Hawkes Bay the week before.

"I felt when we walked on the court that we were too relaxed, too confident."

Now he feels the Saints have the talent to win and it's about starting fast and controlling the pace of the game, setting a physical scene from the tip-off, putting pressure on Auckland and particularly Tait's back-up Judd Flavell.

"Judd's a good player - but I feel we have to make him make the big plays, put pressure on early."

There will be lots of pressure in both games. Both promise high intensity.

It's just what the Tall Blacks coaches would want to see, ahead of the national team's upcoming assignments.

BRENDON PONGIA
Team: Saints

* Born: June 27, 1969 Auckland.

* 1.85m shooting guard.

* 238 NBL games since debut for Waitakere in 1993, including seasons with

* North Harbour, Waikato and Hawkes Bay. Won one title with Waikato 2002.

* 22 playoff games. Averaged 11 points at 57 per cent accuracy, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal.

* Tall Blacks: three games 2001.