Different time zones won’t stop friends from having each other’s backs and NBA superstar LeBron James continued to show his appreciation for longtime buddy Romeo Travis, who is having quite a performance in the PBA.
Travis carried Magnolia on his back, putting up 50 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Hotshots to their 112-108 Game 4 win over Barangay Ginebra to advance to the Governors’ Cup finals.
James took to Instagram against to show his love for his high school teammate in St. Vincent St. Mary, where they were part of the group called the Fab Five.
READ: Travis gets shoutout from ‘brother’ LeBron after big game for Magnolia
“Headed to the finals on a 50-piece nugget! Congrats my brother,” posted LeBron. “Keep going Lucky Lefty.”
Travis, who had 21 of his points in the fourth quarter, played through pain after he suffered a grade 2 strain on his left hamstring in Game 3 of the series.
Magnolia’s import added that he didn’t want to play another game in the semifinals and he wanted to make sure he would spend time with his wife before she leaves the Philippines on Sunday—the day that was set for a supposed Game 5 in the series and would be played in Biñan.
“I just wanted to win you know, I didn’t want to travel for a road game,” said Travis. “My wife is leaving on Sunday and I just didn’t want to play again honestly. I don’t know if I could physically play again so I just gave it all I had, I just put it all out there.”
Travis secured a medical clearance to play from famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Raul Canlas on Thursday morning and he said that the pain he experienced made the victory even sweeter.
“I went through a lot of pain to play today and it was worth it,” said Travis. “That was emotional, to be able to make it through, get through the pain and make it worth it. It meant a lot to me.”
And the allure of the finals was just a radiant treasure tempting Travis to push himself to the limit.
Travis first played in the PBA with Alaska in the 2015 Governors’ Cup where he was able to lead the Aces to the finals only to lose to San Miguel in four games.
“Last time I was here I laid an egg,” said Travis. “I played very bad last time I was in the finals. I want redemption and that’s why I came back. I looked at the roster and I see they had good veterans and hungry guys. I don’t want to take over, I just wanted to be part of the team.”
“These guys have allowed me to be part of the team and that’s what makes this team special, it’s the chemistry, they know I’m not a guy that’s going to demand the ball and curse at somebody if I don’t get the ball. That’s not who I am as a person and as a player. We’re one unit right now, we’re totally clicking.”