FILE – Magnolia import Romeo Travis. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia import Romeo Travis couldn’t help but express his disappointment over the Hotshots’ 98-97 loss against TNT Monday night that cost them a shot at keeping their PBA Governors’ Cup crown.
“It’s been [going on] all year: We get a big lead and mysteriously, it disappears,” Travis, whose herculean effort of 32 points and 26 rebounds was put to naught, told scribes after the contest at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots at one point enjoyed an 18 point advantage, looking all primed for a decider on Wednesday.
“I don’t know how it happens but it always seems to happen to us very frequently,” said Travis.
Travis is not a stranger to this Magnolia team. In fact, he helped steer the Hotshots to this tournament’s summit last year, within that bid a 50-point explosion.
Asked on what led to the debacle, the American reinforcement, in between sighs, said he has a lot in mind.
“A lot of things went wrong,” he said.”Mainly, it was lack of discipline. We had turnovers throughout [the game].”
“It’s just ironic that it happens the same way, often,” Travis added.
Even more frustrating for Travis is that he couldn’t fully verbalize his frustration.
“I go out there and play my heart out? And the same things keep, continue happening to me?”
“Frustrating is me not being able to curse right now. I’m beyond frustrated. I’m very, very, very, very upset and that’s me saying it the best way I can,” Travis added.
So does this mean he’s closing the door on another tour of duty with Magnolia?
“I don’t even want to talk about no next year right now,” he said. “I’m very… my mind is … frustrated right now. I can’t even think about tomorrow, let alone next year.”
Travis, whose no-nonsense approach endeared him to many of Magnolia’s fans, said the decision is up to the club’s brass.
“It’s up to them. They have to call me. I just can’t say I’m coming back. I can’t offer myself a contract,” he said.
“I don’t know about the future. I don’t know if they want me back.”