Terrence Romeo is finally back in the San Miguel Beermen fold.
Having to sit out San Miguel’s first seven games in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup after suffering an Achilles injury in the Philippine Cup Finals, Romeo returned Friday night when the Beermen faced the NLEX Road Warriors.
The former three-time scoring champion saw action for over 15 minutes, and he finished with six points, four assists, a steal, and a rebound against just one turnover in SMB’s 109-105 victory that kept their playoff hopes alive.
“I’m happy to see him play, although managed ang minutes niya,” said San Miguel head coach Leo Austria.
Romeo is, of course, glad to receive such fitting welcome in his return. But he admitted that he has to work so much just to get everything back — the six-year pro out of Far Eastern University rated his conditioning at just 30 percent.
“Out of shape talaga ako e, almost two months ako na ‘di nakakatakbo,” shared the 27-year-old combo guard. “Naninibago ako, yung rhythm ko, shooting — ‘di rin ako nakakapag-shooting. Marami pang dapat gawin.
“Yung concern ko lang talaga is yung conditioning. As in wala pa, parang thirty-percent pa lang siguro.”
Asked how many games does he need to play before he can regain his bearings, Romeo said that he’s looking at the playoffs, which is expected to begin about two weeks from now.
“Sana playoffs.”
But for that to happen, the Beermen will have to make a late push, meaning they have to sweep their remaining games just to ensure their spot. They’re now at 3-5, tied with Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at eighth in the standings.