It was a scene all too familiar for Globalport’s Neon Nation
With three minutes left in the third frame and Magnolia picked up its first lead of the ball game, 54-53, Pido Jarencio and Terrence Romeo figured in a shouting match during a timeout. Just like what happened with Stanley Pringle and former Batang Pier head coach Franz Pumaren last July 30, the two had to be separated by their teammates and the staff of the team.
During the entire course of the timeout, Romeo tried to continue to explain himself to his head coach. To avoid things from escalating, the fifth-year pro sat on the other end of the bench. Romeo was eventually inserted back to the game early in the final frame.
However, it proved to be too late as the Hotshots were able to sustain the momentum they gained, eliminating Globalport 96-79.
After the game, the 25-year-old guard seemingly moved on from what happened, saying that the incident that happened between him and his coach was just a brief misunderstandings.
“Siguro misunderstanding lang.
“Kasi alam mo naman si coach tsaka ako, pareho lang din namin gusto manalo. So lahat naman yun para sa team eh. Kumbaga, gusto namin pareho manalo. Meron lang kaming hindi napagka-intindihan,” Romeo explained.
“Pero wala, off the court walang problema. Alam naman natin talaga na si Coach Pido ay sobra talagang ano na coach, gusto niya talaga manalo every time. Minsan nagmumukha lang na hindi gaanong okay pero normal lang ‘yun, normal lang sa amin. Normal lang sa player at sa coaches,” the 5-foot-11 gunslinger furthered.
Moreover, Romeo, who is just playing in his second game for the season, admitted that he was frustrated that he could not find his groove and help his team out. He shot just 6-of-18 from the field for 14 points while committing three turnovers.
“Kahit ako, wala akong ano, wala akong galit kay coach or what.
“Kasi alam naman natin na matagal ng nagco-coach si Coach Pido at alam kong alam niya ang ginagawa niya. So ako, medyo ang dami ko pang dapat i-improve,” the product of Far Eastern University expressed.
“Actually para sa akin, medyo hindi ako gaanong nakatulong sa team kasi siguro dahil sa hindi ko pa nakukuha ‘yung rhythm ko. At the same time, naninibago pa ako kasi ang tagal kong walang five-on-five eh. Eto pa lang ‘yung second game ko sa PBA tapos mawawala na naman kasi na-out kami,” he added.
With their early exit, Romeo looks to head back to work quickly to get back on track for Gilas Pilipinas and for the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Hindi naman ako pupuwedeng bumalik next conference na ganito pa rin ako. Hopefully maka-adjust ako, makapag-lose ng weight. At the same time, nag-iisip ako kung paano ko makukuha ‘yung timing ko. So sa ngayon hindi ko pa alam,” the Globalport lifer shared.
“Isipin ko pa siguro pag-uwi sa bahay.”
