For Terrence Romeo, some things are better left behind
Terrence Romeo is not dwelling the past, saying that it’s time to move on following his departure from the GlobalPort Batang Pier to the TNT Katropa.
According to reports, Romeo and GlobalPort’s parting of ways hadn’t been a positive one, as the deal came in the wake of his infamous in-game shouting match with coach Pido Jarencio and amid various rumors that he wanted out.
“Move on na lang tayo,” expressed the 26-year-old scorer.
The five-year league veteran is now looking forward to a fresh start with TNT. Romeo, along with Yousef Taha, was traded by the Batang Pier last Tuesday in exchange for Mo Tautuaa plus two future draft picks.
“Ngayon ang focus ko lang is kung paano matutulungan yung TNT, kung paano ako mag-go-grow dito sa TNT,” said the 5-foot-10 shooting guard.
For five years, Romeo had been the Batang Pier’s main man, rising through the ranks as one of the league’s best scorers. But now that he’s in a stacked team such as TNT, he is fully aware that he has to take a backseat to the veterans of the team.
“‘Di naman ‘to basketball na ako lang mag-isa against ibang team,” the three-time scoring champion expressed. “I need to be more smart, kumbaga mas matured ako. Kasi pangit naman na… Papasok ako sa TNT, tapos laging ang mentality ko is to score lang.
“Hindi na ‘to katulad ng GlobalPort na kailangan every game dapat ganito yung average ko para at least manalo kami or maganda yung kalabasan ng game namin. Dito ibang story naman.”
Romeo’s arrival has sparked excitement, especially among the TNT faithful, as he will reunite with Gilas teammate Jayson Castro and fellow FEU Tamaraws Roger Pogoy and RR Garcia, along with former coach Nash Racela.
“Masaya. Siyempre kasi magkakasama kami ng mga dati kong teammates tapos dati ko ring naging coach si coach Nash,” said the 26-year-old, who won the UAAP Season 76 Most Valuable Player award under Racela’s watch.
Romeo attended his first-ever practice as a KaTropa on Wednesday morning at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center in Ateneo. And he now looks forward to developing a relationship with his new brothers-in-arms and, at the same time, earning the respect of his peers.
“Pakiramdam ko rookie ako ulit kasi [kapag] nalilipat ka sa ibang team, panibagong pakisama, panibagong sistema, panibagong management. So kailangan ma-earn mo yung respect ng mga teammates mo, ng management,” Romeo said.
“So kailangan… Ang pinapasok ko sa isip ko maging deserving ako sa gagampanan kong role kasi kailangan naming alamin yung role ng isa’t isa eh. Magwo-work hard ako para makatulong sa team.”
