Terrence Romeo drives past Lucas Tagarda and Ryan Monteclaro of Boracay Rum. PBA D-LEAGUE IMAGES / NUKI SABIO
MANILA, Philippines—Big Chill guard Terrence Romeo feared that his return might disrupt his team’s play.
It wasn’t the case Monday when Romeo, who missed the latter part of the Aspirants Cup and the Superchargers’ first two games this conference, finally came back from an injury to his right hand against Boracay Rum.
The five-foot-10 Romeo, who was in the center of a tug-of-war between Fruitas and Big Chill at the start of the conference, showed no effects of his injury en route to a 16-point, eight-rebound outing in 22 minutes of play.
Not bad for someone who hasn’t played since January and admits that his hand still not a hundred percent.
“Medyo pressured kasi maganda na yung tinatakbo ng team so iniisip ko baka pagpasok ko magulo yung takbo nila pero awa naman ng Diyos nakatulong naman ako tapos naging okay naman ang takbo ng team,” he said.
“Medyo masakit (right hand) pero gusto ko na bumalik, gusto ko na maglaro pero na-clear naman na ako ng doktor para maglaro.”
Romeo, the Far Eastern University star, got off to a quick start with eight first quarter points as part of the Superchargers’ telling 17-0 blast that broke the game wide open, 22-4.
“Pagbalik ni Terrence is morale-boosting for the team,” said head coach Robert Sison, who added that his prized guard’s live contract with the team ended Fruitas’ chase of Romeo.
“May live contract sa’min. Ganon naman ang rule sa PBA D-League. Same case with RR (NLEX) may live contract din and I think they have to respect that,” Sison said. “But we are fully supportive of Terrence playing for FEU, make no mistake about that.”
“The Big Chill management, the whole organization are in full support of Terrence playing for FEU,” Sison, who also announced that Romeo ‘will be endorsing a sports drink by Big Chill,’ added, following Big Chill’s 82-60 win over Boracay Rum.
“He also inked a long contract for us with his endorsement.”
When asked about Fruitas, whose lineup is composed mostly of FEU players along with its coach Nash Racela, wanting his services as part of the Tamaraws’ buildup for the next UAAP season, Romeo kept mum: “Pwede no comment na lang ako?”