Leo Austria puts positive spin on Terrence Romeo’s outburst: ‘He’s a warrior, he wants to win’

MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel head coach Leo Austria believes emotions just got the best of Terrence Romeo in his outburst in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals.

Romeo received two quick technical fouls for berating a referee in the fourth quarter of the Beermen’s 108-101 Game 2 win Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum in a scene where the combo guard seemed uncontrollable.

Austria said Romeo felt that the Hotshots were too aggressive on the defensive end but still managed to get away with a few physical hits that triggered Romeo’s ire toward the game officials leading to his ejection with 6:23 left to play.

READ: Beermen have ‘nothing but praise’ for Terrence Romeo

“I think he feels that he was on the receiving end of excessive fouls, I think that’s what happened,” said Austria in Filipino. “Prior to the technical, there was a prior incident where a foul wasn’t called.”

“They [the Hotshots] kept bugging him and there were no fouls, and then when he does that he gets called with a foul in an instant.”

San Miguel governor Robert Non tried to pacify Romeo, who finished with 13 points and three fouls in 20 minutes of play, but his efforts fell on deaf ears.

READ: Finals first-timer Terrence Romeo ‘serious’ about mulling retirement if Beermen wins title

Alex Cabagnot and the other Beermen then took a shot at calming down Romeo but they too failed to control their teammate.

Austria, though, found a silver lining in Romeo’s outbursts.

“But I like the kid because he wants to win,” said Austria of Romeo. “He’s a warrior, that’s a sign that he doesn’t want to be stepped on. But still, this is a basketball game, sometimes someone will get ahead of you sometimes not.”

“He should be mature already but slowly he’ll get there.”