Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Terrence Romeo said GlobalPort has yet to prove anything even after its impressive victory over Barangay Ginebra, 91-84.
The Batang Pier hiked their record to 3-1, joining the San Miguel Beermen and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters atop the standings.
“Wala pa kaming napapatunayan. Challenge para sa amin na makita kami ng mga tao sa kung ano yung tingin nilang pwede naming ma-achieve,” he said.
(We haven’t proven anything yet. It’s a challenge for us to be seen by the people based on what we can achieve.)
But Romeo is making a case that the Batang Pier is for real as evidenced on Sunday in a game where he exploded for 35 points.
And even coach Franz Pumaren won’t deny Romeo’s emerges as the undoubted leader of his squad.
“Terrence is a different breed. He’s really talented but right now, if you look at the way he plays, he’s playing aggressive defense, he’s moving the ball around, and he’s passing the ball,” he said.
Pumaren is also glad to witness Romeo’s evolution to an all-around guard, something which he envisioned at the start of the season.
“Prior to the opening of the conference, I sat down with him and he’s slowly evolving to an all-around player. It will benefit him down the road. He’s no longer just the Terrence Romeo that loves to entertain the crowd. He’s the new Terrence Romeo who can change the game offensively, make his teammates look good, and play defense.”
And Romeo has definitely taken the pep talk to heart.
“Sinabihan ako ni coach na kung kailangan ako yung mag-takeover, magte-takeover ako. Pero kung masyadong naka-loaded yung depensa sakin, kailangan kong ma-recognize yung open teammates ko. Kasi doon mas mapapadali sa akin yung basketball at mas mapapadali para sa team.
“Kausapin ko daw ng madalas yung teammates ko, na kahit na sinasabi nila na ako yung isa sa mga pinakabata sa team, wag daw akong mahiya makipag-usap sa mga mas senior sa akin. Baka sakaling yung mga alam ko, pwede kong i-share sa kanila.”
(Coach told me that if I have to takeover, I’ll takeover. But if the defense is loaded on me, I have to recognize my open teammates. It’s there where basketball will be easier for me and my team. I just have to talk frequently to my teammates, that even if I’m one of the youngest in the team, I shouldn’t be shy with my seniors. I might share what I know to them too.)
So far, so good, and Romeo is happy to see the results, with GlobalPort looking like the contender it desires to be.
“Bawat isa, unti-unti na nalalaman yung role nila sa team. Bawat isa, after noong game sa Alaska, alam na nila yung mistakes namin at nag-adjust na sila going to this game,” he said.
(Every one is slowly starting to understand their roles in the team. Every one, after our game against Alaska, has already acknowledged our mistakes and they’ve adjusted going to this game.)