For the first time since March 18, Terrence Romeo stepped inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday evening.
The flamboyant guard was not in uniform, though, instead wearing civilian wear.
Still, he was just glad to have finally joined San Miguel albeit in a different circumstance.
However, a return is not imminent for the three-time PBA scoring champion. He said that he is just halfway through his recovery from a nagging back injury.
“Matagal pa yung pagbabalik sa basketball.
“Goal ko makapaglaro once na totally makapag-heal na siya. So kailangan ko pa magpa-MRI ako ulit para tignan kung lumiit na yung injury or nawala na,” he admitted after San Miguel’s 109-100 Game Two win over TNT that knotted the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup series.
He added, “Pagka may signal na ng doctor, maglalaro na ko ulit. Ang pinapriotize ko ngayon is kung paano ko papalakasin yung katawan ko para sa pagbabalik ko.”
Physically, Romeo looked well, having slimmed down. Mentally, he also seemed in a good state.
“Okay naman ako, okay yung recovery ko. Kahit papano, nakakapag-stretching na ko kahit pakonte-konte. Hindi na siya gaano nagsusumpong pero nandun pa rin yung injury,” he cotninued.
“Kailangan pa rin ng time sa healing. Pero once nag heal na siya, kailangan kondisyon pa rin ako at ready pa rin ako sa paglalaro para ready ako sa pagbabalik. Hindi ko pa alam kailan pero I’m sure makakabalik ako ng mas malakas sa kung ano ako dati.”
Of course, the 30-year-old guard out of Imus would want to help San Miguel in its series against TNT.
But his health is beyond his control.
So instead of feeling frustrated, he is opting to look at the brighter side of this experience.
After all, Romeo would want to be as healthy as possible as he is currently in his prime.
“Hindi ko na tinitignan na frustrating. Siyempre, gusto mo tumulong pero may mga bagay-bagay na nangyayari na hindi natin kontrolado,” he said.
“Ang importante kung ano tayo after nun, kung ano tayo pagkatapos ng nangyari sa atin, ang importante dapat ay focus pa rin sa paglalaro, focus pa rin sa paggawa ng mabuti. Lahat ng gagawin mo na mabuti ay hindi naman magbubunga ng masama.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
