Romeo Travis did everything he could while the Magnolia Hotshots battled the TNT KaTropa in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Monday.
The former Best Import barely had any rest, playing for over 44 minutes that saw him churn out 32 points on 40-percent shooting, 26 rebounds, four blocks, two steals, and two assists.
Unfortunately, all of his efforts went down the drain. The KaTropa came from behind and bagged the 98-97 victory to end Hotshots’ reign and head to the semifinals.
“Of course, it’s frustrating. I go out there and play my heart out? And the same things continue happening to me? Frustrating is me not being able to curse right now,” Travis admitted.
“I’m beyond frustrated. I’m very, very, very, very upset and that’s me saying it the best way I can.”
What frustrates Travis the most is not just the loss per se, but how the Hotshots lost the game.
Magnolia had appeared to have control of the match when it led by 18 points, 80-62, late in the third quarter and even held a 97-87 lead with four minutes remaining in the game.
That, until Jayson Castro sparked the KaTropa’s comeback to tie things up at 96-all with 37.2 seconds left following Troy Rosario’s trey, marking the beginning of the end for the Hotshots.
“It’s been ongoing all year: We get a big lead and mysteriously, it disappears,” said Travis, whose side lost to the NLEX Road Warriors last November 10 after leading by as high as 26 points.
“I don’t know how it happens, but it always seems to happen to us very frequently,” he added. “In the same kind of ways — no defense, turnovers they lead directly to points.
“It’s very… I don’t know the right words. So I’mma leave it alone. It’s just ironic that it happens the same way, often.”
Travis actually had a chance to turn the game around when he went to the foul line with 15.9 seconds remaining. Unfortunately, he only made one of his foul shots, giving the Hotshots just a 97-96 lead.
That then opened the door for the KaTropa to complete the fightback. Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. did not waste the opportunity, sinking both of his charities with seven ticks left for the lead.
“Yeah, I missed the free throw. But we should’ve never been in that position,” Travis said. “We were up eighteen. We were winning by a lot. And we let the lead slip away.
“It’s gonna be hard for me to sleep tonight because of that free throw. But we should’ve never been in that position.”
Magnolia’s season has come to an end following the loss. Asked if he’s coming back next year, Travis isn’t sure yet.
“I don’t know about the future. I don’t know if they want me back. It’s up to them to make the first call and then we go from there,” said the 12-year journeyman from Akron, Ohio.
All that the 34-year-old plans for now is to go back home and spend quality time with his family.
“I’m going home. I’m going home and I’m being a dad, taking my kids to school. I can’t wait to just be able to be along with my kids and my wife,” Travis shared.
“It’s going to be nice.”
