Terrence Romeo has already won major individual awards in his career, from his UAAP days with the FEU Tamaraws to the PBA. But he hasn’t yet tasted a championship victory.
And he would actually call it quits if ever he wins one.
Romeo joked as much, now that he’s about to play in his first-ever title bout in his pro career, as his San Miguel Beer will play Magnolia anew in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
“Kung makukuha namin yun, kahit papano nakuha ko na yung pinakakulang para sakin. I mean, kulang na award para sa sarili ko,” he said.
“Tapos yun, baka mag-retire na ‘ko after.”
But that doesn’t mean he’s going to hang it up for good right away should SMB win the 2019 All-Filipino crown. Romeo said that it is something that he will have to think through and through before going.
“Pag-iisipan ko pa, pag-iisipan ko pa. Kasi yun lang talaga yung pinakadream ko eh, magchampion sa PBA kasi wala nga akong championship simula college days ko, high school days.”
San Miguel head coach Leo Austria isn’t buying Romeo’s thoughts, however. He also believes that the 27-year-old hasn’t yet shown his full potential, that it will be too early to go.
“I don’t think na iisipin niya yung retirement na ‘yun. Ang mga players, kahit wala nang tiyansa mailagay sa lineup, they keep on playing. Para sa player, mahirap bumitaw sa career mo,” the former Coach of the Year said.
“Kahit wala ka nang chance, magpu-pumilit ka pa rin. What more on the likes of Terrence na hindi mo pa nakikita yung full potential niya. Talagang marami pang ilalabas yan,” he continued.
“I’m happy with him how he is playing right now. He could help a lot in our team.”
But before looking that far ahead, Romeo is out to cherish this first-ever Finals stint of his. His last trip to a championship round happened with FEU during the UAAP Season 74 Finals.
“Excited ako na maglaro sa Finals kasi although same, basketball lang siya, iba kasi yung nasa Finals ka. Maraming crowd tapos naglalaban kayo, konti na lang makukuha niyo na yung goal niyo,” he said.
“Lahat ng sacrifices na ginawa niyo… ‘Yun na ‘yung time para ibigay ‘yung best talaga. Para sa’kin, kung ano natutunan mo nung bata ka, ‘yun na ‘yung best time ipakita mo.”
