San Miguel stint is Terrence Romeo’s shot at redemption, says Leo Austria

MANILA, Philippines—Volatile star Terrence Romeo has had a tumultuous pro career that reached its low point recently when TNT reportedly wanted him out upon players’ requests.

Romeo on Wednesday was officially shipped to San Miguel Beer in exchange for third stringers Brian Heruela and David Semerad and a 2021 first round pick.

The move to the Beermen, however, not only gives Romeo a breath but more significantly, a golden opportunity to prove his critics wrong.

READ: Seven TNT KaTropa players declare they want Terrence Romeo out

“This is a chance for him to redeem himself,” San Miguel head coach Leo Austria told INQUIRER.net just hours after the PBA approved the deal.

The 26-year-old Romeo has been involved in controversies beginning last March when he and his former coach Pido Jarencio at GlobalPort figured in a heated verbal exchange during a game.

He was also among the players suspended by Fiba for his participation in the Gilas Pilipinas and Australia brawl in the Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers in July.

READ: Terrence Romeo to San Miguel gets PBA green light 

Austria said he had a lengthy conversation with Romeo over the phone on Tuesday and one of his early advice to the three-time PBA scoring champion is “just enjoy the game.”

“We welcome him with open arms and I told him, ‘you don’t have to do so much here at San Miguel. You have the likes of June Mar, Standhardinger that can also score,’” Austria said.

San Miguel has been having a hectic offseason following its surprisingly early exit in the ongoing 2018 Governors’ Cup where it got eliminated in the quarterfinals by eventual finalist Alaska.

Apart from Romeo, the Beermen also acquired Paul Zamar and Ronald Tubid from Blackwater and Columbian, respectively.

“They are a great addition to the team. On paper, we now have the deepest team with Romeo, Zamar and also Tubid but it remains to be seen until we actually play.”