MANILA, Philippines – Terrence Romeo did not mince words on his doubters after helping San Miguel make history with a fifth straight Philippine Cup crown.

The three-time PBA scoring titlist bagged his maiden league championship following a heart-stopping 72-71 win over Magnolia in a winner-take-all Game 7 of the All-Filipino finals on Wednesday, May 16. 

“Talented daw ako, nasa akin daw lahat ng award pero never daw ako magcha-champion, malas daw ako sa San Miguel,” Romeo told reporters about the messages he gets on his social media accounts. 

(They told me I was talented and I had every award, but they said I would never win a championship and I bring bad luck to San Miguel.) 

“[G]usto kong sabihin sa kanila ngayon na paki-message nila ako ulit sa Instagram ko and mamaya ‘pag nag-post ako ng picture, ‘pag nag-post ako ng trophy, paki-message ako ulit, lahat sila sabihin nila lahat ng gusto nila.” 

(I want to tell them that once I post a photo of our trophy, they should message me on Instagram and tell me everything they want to say.) 

It had been a rocky path before Romeo saw one of his basketball dreams come to fruition.

Making the semifinals only once in his five-year stint with NorthPort, hope got high for Romeo that he would reach the Promised Land when he was traded to perennial contender TNT.

But his stint with the KaTropa was shortlived as Romeo was shipped to the Beermen after only two conferences.

The detours he took, though, have all been made worth it. 

“Siguro naniniwala ako, pinanghawakan ko na lang na si God talagang may plano para sa isang tao. So inantay ko lang talaga ‘yung perfect timing niya kung kailan niya ibibigay sa akin,” Romeo said. 

(I guess I just believed and held on to the belief that God really has a plan for everyone. I just waited for the perfect timing when he would give the championship to me.) 

“Ito na ‘yung time na ‘yun, kaya lahat ng haters ko mag-ingay.” 

(This is the time, so to all my haters, make some noise.) 

This is Terrence Romeo’s message to his haters after winning first PBA championship with San Miguel: #PBAFinals | @dioquinodelfin pic.twitter.com/GVHa0ROHcW

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 15, 2019

Taking a back seat

Known as a player who thrives when the ball is in his hands, Romeo had to take a back seat in a loaded San Miguel squad that featured 5 Mythical Team members and several key players. 

He admitted to have had a hard time immersing himself to the Beermen system, but said he made up for everything on the less glamorous end of the floor. 

“‘Yun ‘yung pinaka-transition ko – paano ko kaya maa-apply ‘yung talent ko na hindi ko maaapektuhan ‘yung sistema nila coach Leo (Austria) and San Miguel. So medyo nag-adjust ako, nahirapan ako at first,” Romeo said. 

(The hardest part of my transition is figuring out how I can apply my talent without affecting the system of coach Leo and San Miguel. I adjusted and I had a hard time at first.) 

“[M]ay mga times na umaasa na lang ako sa mga kickout ni June Mar (Fajardo), kickout ng mga kasama ko. ‘Pag nag-shoot siya, maganda for me, pero ‘pag hindi ko nakuha, nakaisip ako ng paraan na kunin ko sa depensa.” 

(There are times that I’m just relying on my teammates’ kickout passes to score. If I’m able to score, it’s a good thing for me, but if my shot misses, I find a way to make an impact on defense.)  

Ending a title drought since he was a high school and collegiate star in FEU, Romeo savors a milestone in his career. 

“‘Yung ‘una talaga ‘yung pinakamasarap. First champion ko simula noong naging basketball player ako. Sa barangay lang ako nag-champion. Simula high school, college, PBA D-League days,” he said. 

(The first is the sweetest. This is my first championship since I become a player. It’s only in the barangay level that I was able to become a champion. Since high school, college and PBA D-League days, I wasn’t able to win.) 

“Ito ‘yung unang champion ko. Sa PBA ko nakuha. Sobrang saya.” 

(This is my first championship and of all places, it’s in the PBA. I’m super happy.) – Rappler.com