PBA: Terrafirma Dyip begin what could be their final tournament in style

Terrafirma Dyip star Terrence Romeo during a 2025 PBA Philippine Cup game. –PBA IMAGES

Terrence Romeo would rather think about the present than worry about what the future holds as Terrafirma’s potential “last trip” in the PBA Philippine Cup began on a winning note Friday.

“We’re just focused on the moment,” Romeo said in Filipino after playing a key role in the Dyip’s 95-87 victory over the Phoenix Fuelmasters to kick off the season-ending conference at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Romeo scored all of his 17 points in the second half, while fellow veteran Stanley Pringle and sophomore banger Louie Sangalang also starred in Terrafirma’s convincing triumph amid the franchise’s impending sale to shipping company Starhorse.

Terrafirma last month agreed to sell the franchise to Starhorse on the condition that the Dyip will finish off Season 49.

But the sale still needs the approval of the PBA Board of Governors, which has yet to decide on the matter.

The current situation has obviously created uncertainty to those within the Dyip camp.

“That’s the life of a player. Sometimes a player gets traded to the other team,” Romeo said. “Our current situation is no different.

“Once Starhorse takes over, we will play for Starhorse. But for now, we will play for Terrafirma.”

Sale or not, Terrafirma is eager to put up a better showing in the all-Filipino tournament after posting just a win each in the season’s two reinforced conferences. Ironically, both victories came at the expense of TNT, winner of the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup.

Sangalang scored 21 points while Pringle equaled Romeo’s output as the Dyip overcame losing an early lead to gain a huge advantage that saw them go up, 89-66, in the final period.

Phoenix lost its opening assignment despite a 30-point, 15-rebound showing from rookie Kai Ballungay, the former Ateneo ace in the UAAP.

The two squads return to action Sunday, with Terrafirma facing defending champion Meralco and Phoenix playing Converge.

Meralco and Converge were battling it out at press time.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer’s road to redemption starts Saturday at the same venue opposite NLEX at 7:30 p.m., following the 5 p.m. curtain-raiser pitting Magnolia and Blackwater.

San Miguel missed the playoffs in the Commissioner’s Cup, a stunning absence for a team that is used to compete heavily for the title.