Having been a part of several national teams, Terrence Romeo is a veteran in the international basketball scene.
But in his return to Gilas Pilipinas after five years, the dazzling guard feels like a rookie again.
“Hindi ko nga matandaan kung ano ‘yung pakiramdam na maglaro sa international, kaya parang rookie ako ulit,” said Romeo on Monday after their practice at Philsports Arena.
“Ang kumpyansa ko at ang experience, laging nandiyan, pero ‘yung pakiramdam na maglaro ulit at magsuot ulit ng Gilas jersey, parang rookie ulit ang pakiramdam kasi nga sobrang tagal bago ako nacall up.”
Romeo, who was a mainstay in Gilas during the 2010s, last played for Gilas back in July 2018 when the Philippines-Australia brawl happened. Since then, he has not received a call-up until now for the Asiad.
The shifty scorer out of Far Eastern University has dealt with various injuries since 2020. He had problems with his shoulder, knee, and back.
However, this time, he is fully healthy and ready to go all out for the Philippines.
“Terrence is part of the Final 12, you can bet on that. He was awesome today.
“He’s really excited. He came over and profusely expressed to me, ‘I’m so happy to be back and to have another opportunity with the national team.’ I think he’ll fit really, really well into what we want to do,” shared Cone.
Cone, tasked with leading this abruptly-built team two weeks before the start of the tournament, raved about Romeo’s ability on both ends of the court.
Despite the often criticism about the guard’s defense, Cone said that given a good defensive system, Romeo can really blossom.
“We’re not going to be an isolation-type team, so you might think we wouldn’t want Terrence, but Terrence is really good at breaking down defenses and he’s a great spot-up and off-the-screens player. So, we really think we could use his offensive skills,” said the winningest PBA coach.
“He’s always been a willing defender; we just feel like if you get him into a good defensive system, he can play really good defense,” he added.
“We’re excited about Terrence, I think he’s going to impact us big time.”
Romeo, for his part, said he’s willing to give everything to be the player Cone wants him to be.
Gilas, looking to earn their first medal in the quadrennial event in 25 years, is slotted in Group C along with Bahrain, Jordan, and Thailand.
“Sa tingin ko ‘yung experience na naglaro ako last time, laging nandiyan, pero kailangan kong mag-give in sa sistema ni Coach Tim,” said the San Miguel Beerman.
“Magkakaiba naman ‘yung sistema ng mga coaches eh, so ‘yun lang, kung ano ‘yung role na kailangan kong gampanan sa sistema ni Coach Tim, ‘yun ‘yung kailangan kong gawin.”
