Hobbled Romeo just grateful for healthy window after 4th-quarter eruption

Terrence Romeo, if healthy, is still one of Philippines’ most lethal scorers around.

However, the keyword is “if healthy,” and the 29-year-old gunner has certainly been far from tip-top shape for the San Miguel Beermen in the ongoing 2021 PBA Philippine Cup.

But whenever he is fit enough to take the court, Romeo makes the most out of his opportunities, and he did exactly that in SMB’s 98-96 Game 2 semifinal stunner over the TNT Tropang Giga to tie the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

After scoring just 5 points in the first half, the former TNT star almost single-handedly brought the Beermen back from the dead, as he dropped 15 points in a 15-point fourth quarter comeback capped by yet another Marcio Lassiter game-winner.

All in all, Romeo finished with a game-high 26 points in just 27 minutes off the bench, and he is nothing but grateful for the opportunity given to him by head coach Leo Austria whenever he gets healthy.

“‘Yung game ko, medyo up and down kasi nakadalawang injury ako ngayong conference,” he said in the postgame presser.

“Sinusubukan ko na i-maintain pero ‘pag na-iinjure ako, nawawala na naman ako sa timing. So thank God at unti-unti bumabalik na ulit ‘yung timing ko sa game.”

(My game has been up and down since I’ve had two injuries this conference. I try to maintain it, but I lose my timing whenever I get injured. So I just thank God that my timing is coming back.)

The flashy guard has always been bothered recently by Achilles injuries, and it got to a point where he actually exited the Bacolor, Pampanga bubble just to get it reexamined and treated.

Last year, Romeo also failed to get going after he dislocated his shoulder three games into the historic 2020 Philippine Cup bubble in Clark. Despite this, he hasn’t allowed his past injury history get the best of him whenever he can suit up to win.

Sure enough, it didn’t look like the former Finals MVP and two-time champion was operating on bum ankles as he did his thing in the clutch, scoring 7 of his 15 fourth quarter points in the final 3:43 of regulation.

“Basta iniisip ko na lang, ‘pag nasa loob ako ng court, gagawin ko kung ano ‘yung maitutulong ko, kung ano ‘yung ineensayo ko sa practice namin, ‘yung pagpe-prepare ko bago sa conference na ‘to,” he said.

“Grabe ‘yung pagpe-prepare ko. May mga injury na nagpapa-slow down sa ‘kin, pero nagpapasalamat ako kay God kasi hindi niya talaga ako pinapabayaan.”

(All I’m thinking of when I’m on the court is I’d do what I can, and perform what we prepared and practiced for. My preparation has been intense. I may have had injuries slow me down, but I’m thankful to God because he really took care of me.) – Rappler.com