Terrence Romeo proved to be the ace up San Miguel’s sleeve in downing Ginebra to equalize their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series on Friday night.
With the Beermen needing answers for the Kings’ furious rally, the 32-year-old more than willingly responded, dropping 26 points to save themselves and eke out the 131-125 overtime victory to tie their best-of-7 duel at a game apiece.
“Ready lang ako. Ready lang ako every game,” he said moments after Game 2 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “Thank God, na-shoot ko ‘yung mga tira ko.”
Romeo offered as much during the postgame presser as he earned Player of the Game honors. It was actually the first time he’s gotten the citation since Christmas Day last year, per PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
There, he finished with 22 points, including 13 in the final frame to lead their breakaway toward a 117-96 victory over Phoenix Super LPG.
Fast forward to Friday night and the former three-time scoring champion scored 22 as well, but in just the fourth quarter and in overtime in a conscious effort to save SMB after squandering a 13-point third-quarter advantage.
He was trading big blows with the troika of Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, and Stephen Holt as the crowd darlings put together a major threat.
Yet it was the Far Eastern University product who would stand tall at the end, scoring nine in extra time to help San Miguel regain control, 121-117, with 2:07 left, helping hush the Ginebra crowd that helped fill the Big Dome.
Such a performance was, without a doubt, a reminder of how effective the flashy Romeo can be, especially in an outing as crucial as Game 2.
“Sa mga ganung moment, matagal naman na ‘kong may experience diyan, tsaka alam ko ‘yung pakiramdam ng playoffs, ng semis,” he said.
“Alam ko ‘yung pakiramdam kung paano mag-perform diyan,” he furthered. “So, ‘yun lang, hindi naman nagbabago ‘yung hard work ko kaya hindi rin bumababa ang kumpiyansa ko pagdating sa mga ganung moments.”
