Romeo pleads for understanding after Game 2 outburst

Terrence Romeo pleaded for understanding after an outburst over officiating led to his ejection in the fourth quarter of San Miguel Beer’s 108-101 win over Magnolia in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals last Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Romeo was ejected with 6:23 left in the fourth after being assessed with two technical fouls for continuously complaining at referee Peter Balao, an incident that didn’t sit well with Beermen Team Governor Robert Non.

Non was even spotted shouting at Romeo to stop, even asking him to go straight the locker room after being tossed by Balao. The San Miguel official after the game described the incident as a non-issue after a talk with Romeo.

“Hindi ako nakinig sa kung anong sinasabi niya (Non) kasi inaaway ko yung referee (I didn’t listen to what he was saying because I was too focused on confronting the referee),” Romeo told reporters from the San Miguel locker room shortly after his ejection.

“Dapat yung side namin (players) yung maintindihan niya kasi siyempre nakaka-frustrate sa side ko (He should understand our side because on my part it’s very frustrating),” added Romeo.

The PBA Commissioner’s Office has yet to penalize Romeo at presstime though it is likely that the Beermen star will be fined for the two technicals incurred.

Romeo was slapped with a first technical when he threw a chest pass at Balao after he was fouled by Magnolia’s Mark Barroca with SMB ahead 96-81.

The seven-year pro vehemently protested the call, leading to a second technical.