Romeo confident ‘hardworking’ Gilas young guys will perform well

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Terrence Romeo believes that 2017 Jones Cup experience will be a huge asset for the cadets as they join the veterans in the 2017 Fiba Asia Cup this August.

“The experience is already there for them and I’m sure that they can perform well in this coming tournament,” he said in Filipino.

Jio Jalalon, Matthew Wright, and Roger Pogoy, all of whom were part of the 2017 Seaba Championship squad, were retained for the Asian championships.

Also tabbe d in the roster were hardworking forward Carl Bryan Cruz and Fil-German big man Christian Standhardinger, who will replace Andray Blatche as the team’s naturalized player for the tournament.

With Gilas resuming practice on Thursday at Upper Deck Gym in Pasig, Romeo could only heap praises with the effort he saw from the young guns.

“They are all hardworking and are focused on what they are doing. I can see that they can play good in this Fiba Asia,” he said.

At 25, though, Romeo, isn’t really that old compared to these guys and he relishes the chance to represent the country in what would be his second straight appearance in the continental tournament.

“I’m happy. We’ll have another chance to represent the country so we’re thankful to coach Chot (Reyes) for the trust, as well as the management,” he said. “We vow to give our best and I can promise that I’ll do everything I could to help the team.”