The booming trey Terrence Romeo converted 1:57 left that helped San Miguel escape Ginebra in their 2021 Honda PBA Philippine Cup duel Friday evening was no ordinary shot.
According to league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, that long-distance bomb — which actually became a rare four-point play as he made it off a Scottie Thompson foul — was the 29-year-old guard’s 500th career three-pointer.
He is the 44th player overall, and only the 13th among active ones, with at least that many triples made in a PBA career.
Romeo went on to finish with 29 points in the 111-102 victory, going 4-of-7 from beyond the arc in a performance that also saw him rack up six assists, two steals, and the same number of rebounds in over 31 minutes.
Photo by PBA Images
But it wasn’t just him who shot that well from deep. The Beermen, as a whole, sank 18 threes — the most they’ve had so far this conference.
To see his wards shoot that way brought relief to SMB head coach Leo Austria, who admitted that it has been quite challenging for his wards to stay consistent specifically in terms of shooting given the current situation.
“Yes, it’s a lot of adjustment especially with the kind of players we have,” the decorated mentor said after the game at DHVSU Gym.
This season has seen changes in terms of venues. From Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig to where the league is currently holding games in Bacolor, the teams needed time to adjust to the different playing conditions.
And that’s exactly what the Beermen had to go through as well, according to resident sniper Marcio Lassiter.
“Anytime you come into a new setting — this is a new gym for all of us — it’s gonna be difficult,” he said.
“I feel like the more games we can play here, the more comfortable we are as a shooter to get used to these rims.”
But being the veterans that they are, San Miguel was able to get used to the DHVSU Gym, which was clearly evident with how they hit their outside shots against the defending champions, who fell to 3-4.
Lassiter himself had adjusted as well, going 5-of-8 from downtown on his way to 19 points. He shot 63-percent from the field all in all.
“I’m happy tonight because the important shots went in,” said Austria.
“We’re so lucky because our team is really solid and then in practice, they keep on working hard, especially the key players.”
