FEU star Romeo joins PBA draft
FAR EASTERN University’s Terrence Romeo pulled off a surprise yesterday as the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player joined the PBA Rookie Draft and automatically gave up his final eligibility year in the collegiate league.
Romeo beat the deadline by a couple of hours to join fellow FEU star guard RR Garcia in one of the most talent-filled Draft pool led by NCAA MVP Ian Sangalang of San Sebastian and Ateneo’s seven-foot center Greg Slaughter.
A total of 84 pro hopefuls signed up for the Draft set on Nov. 3 at Robinsons Place Manila.
Romeo’s decision turned out to be the most unexpected as he had vowed to play his fifth and final year with the Tamaraws just last week.
The 5-foot-11 Romeo led the league both in points scored at 22.2 ppg and steals at 1.6 spg aside from averaging a third-best 3.9 assists and 6.3 rebounds.
Barangay Ginebra owns the No. 1 pick and has reportedly narrowed its choice between big men Sangalang and Slaughter.
Romeo and Garcia, the 1-2 punch of the Tamaraws, may even wind up as teammates anew if they get drafted in the middle of the first round where Barako Bull owns three consecutive picks starting at fourth.
University of Santo Tomas’ top gunner Jeric Teng also recently made himself available for the pros after a stellar performance in the UAAP Finals where his Tigers narrowly fell short against new champion La Salle.
“I’m nervous because you never know what will happen there,” said Teng, the son of former PBA player Alvin Teng. “It’s a different level, so I have to be quicker, stronger and more efficient in everything. I just hope I’ll end up with a team that really needs me.”
Ateneo standout Ryan Buenafe, another last-minute applicant, joined the pool with fellow Blue Eagles Nico Salva, the two-time Finals MVP who figured in five UAAP title romps, and big men Justin Chua and JP Erram.
Letran center Raymond Almazan is also expected to go high in the draft.
