PBA: Romeo downplays 40-point explosion in GlobalPort loss
Terrence Romeo vs two defenders. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Terrence Romeo may have tied his career-best 41 points on Friday, but he wasn’t in any mood for celebration as GlobalPort fell to Mahindra, 111-98, to start the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“Walang kwenta yung career-high kung talo kami. Ang mahalaga sa akin panalo kahit ilang points lang magawa ko,” he said.
The super scorer quickly shut down the notion that this early loss may still be connected to their historic semifinals appearance in the PBA Philippine Cup, a first in franchise history.
READ: PBA: Birthday boy Canaleta shines in Mahindra win
“Walang kinalaman yung nangyari nung semis. Tapos na yun eh. Bago na to,” he said. “May import na kami, nag-training kami, may bago kaming sistema.”
Romeo carried the GlobalPort on his back, going toe-to-toe with the bevy of Mahindra gunslingers–from Nino Canaleta in the first half, to Karl Dehesa and Mike DiGregorio in the second half.
But despite his scoring spree, Romeo stressed the importance of defense.
“Mas kailangan namin mag-rely sa depensa, kasi score kami ng score tapos makaka-score rin yung kalaban namin. Useless din. Dapat ma-stop muna namin yung mga kalaban namin.”
READ: PBA: Mahindra spoils Romeo’s 41, turns back GlobalPort
In a game where Enforcers’ import Augustus Gilchrist had an underwhelming showing, GlobalPort import Brian Williams also failed to dominate.
“First game lang naman ni Brian. Alam ko kung ano yung kaya niyang gawin kasi nabalitaan ko sa ABL na nagdo-dominate siya sa ilalim. Siguro first-time nya so adjustment lang,” he said.
Disappointed over failing to start the conference on a high note, Romeo urged for better communication within the team, especially on the defensive end.
“Communication sa defense lang at team effort sa opensa at depensa.”
“Sobrang gusto ko manalo dahil first game namin. Yun sana yung mag-build ng confidence sa darating namin na game, especially yung mga kalaban namin next malalakas. Kailangan lang siguro mas doble yung focus talaga.”
