Super rookie Romeo thrilled to play against ‘idol’ Caguioa

Terrence Romeo. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Terrence Romeo’s performance so far in the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup was enough to be mentioned in the same breath as Mark Caguioa.

But even as they stand now as competitors, going toe-to-toe in a captivating shootout in Barangay Ginebra’s 109-104 win, Romeo will always see the Kings’ superstar as his “idol.”

“I have so much respect for him. I really idolize him. I can’t explain the feeling that I used to watch him before and now I play against him,” said Romeo in Filipino after the game.

The 21-year-old Romeo, playing in only his third game in the PBA, looked far from starstruck, though, and that challenged Caguioa even more.

The fearless Romeo even made a shot or two over the veteran Caguioa.

“No matter what happens, even if I make a shot over him, nothing’s going to change, Mark Caguioa is Mark Caguioa.”

After the game, Caguioa approached Romeo at midcourt at the Mall of Asia Arena and said: “Hey, let’s do this again.”

“I told Kuya Mark that I’ll do even better next time when defending him,” shared Romeo. “I need to work really hard so I can achieve what he has achieved.”

While it was his job to try and beat Caguioa at every step, Romeo couldn’t help but marvel at the offensive prowess of the Kings’ 34-year-old guard.

“He’s really good and humble, he’s my idol. Even if he’s off-balanced, he still makes the shot,” Romeo said with a laugh.