It was a different Terrence Romeo who showed up on Saturday evening, when his TNT Katropa took on the top-seeded Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Known as one of the league’s best scorers, Romeo attempted just six shot attempts and converted only one. But he made an impact in other ways, so much so that he had collected a career-best 12 assists.
Romeo and the Katropa – who played without Jayson Castro – won big over the Elasto Painters, 100-85, and will head into the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals as the third seed.
“Nagco-collapse yung defense sa’kin, so hinahanap ko lang yung open man,” said Romeo moments after the match. “Lahat naman ng kasama ko alam ko magagaling eh, capable umiskor.
“‘Di ko pinipilit yung situwasyon.”
TNT will face the sixth seed in a best-of-three series in the quarters. And that will be another challenge, as they might face the San Miguel Beermen, the Magnolia Hotshots, or the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
The playoff seedings will all be determined after Saturday night, or after the Beermen-Hotshots match happening as of press time.
What’s next for TNT is uncertain, but Romeo vowed that he and the Katropa will do their best come playoff time on Monday, July 9, as they aim to get into the semifinals.
“‘Di pa yun yung gusto namin makuha, pero mas pagbubutihan namin sa playoffs,” the 26-year-old combo guard said.
“Yun yung kailangan, makapasok kami sa semis then bahala na pagdating sa semis.”
