San Miguel got one of its key cogs back as Terrence Romeo returned in Game 1 of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Friday night.
The star guard had his feet wet again after being sidelined due to an ankle injury. He made five points and a rebound in eight minutes in the Beermen’s 103-95 win over Magnolia to strike the first blow in the series.
“He just felt the court now,” offered SMB head coach Jorge Gallent during the postgame press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. “We just wanted him to feel the court, and feel the crowd in the Finals.”
It sure is good news for San Miguel to have welcomed back Romeo, who got hurt days prior to their best-of-5 semis affair against Barangay Ginebra.
He never saw action in that series which the Beermen won in sweeping fashion, and was thought to miss some more games in the championship bout.
But the 31-year-old suited up in the best-of-7 opener. He was even one of those who came in early to the MoA Arena to get some shots up.
Now that he’s played his first game back, Gallent said that Romeo may log longer minutes as the series goes should he feel better with his ankle.
“If he feels better tomorrow, then I’m sure he’s gonna have longer minutes on Sunday,” said the veteran bench tactician.
Meanwhile, Vic Manuel is getting back in shape after being out for some time now following a knee procedure late last year.
“Vic, he’s not ready yet,” said Gallent of the ‘Muscle Man,’ who hasn’t played since the 2023 Governors’ Cup. “But he’s getting in shape.”
