Austria calls practice; will Romeo show up?
Will Terrence Romeo show up when San Miguel Beer (SMB) resumes its practice session today?
The ace shooting guard has yet to report since the trade happened a couple of days before SMB had its last training before the Christmas break last Dec. 19.
Romeo, however, has met San Miguel Corporation Chief Operating Officer and President Ramon S. Ang in a meeting set by the company’s sports director Alfrancis Chua and Beermen governor Robert Non.
The Beermen obtained the enigmatic player in a stunning trade initiated by TNT KaTropa two weeks ago, making them even more formidable for another run in the all-Filipino conference that starts January 13 next year.
San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said Romeo initially mentioned that he would start training on January 3, but the mentor didn’t rule out the possibility of the latter to attend the team practice.
“Terrence said he’ll start his training with the team on January, but I texted all players that if they’re in Metro Manila, to come to practice so we can start preparing for the Philippine Cup,” said Austria, who will conduct a fourday training until Sunday before giving his players another four-day rest for the New Year celebrations.
The team holds practice at Acropolis gym in Quezon
City.
San Miguel got the services of Romeo in exchange for reserves David Semerad and Brian Heruela plus a 2021 first round pick, and Austria said he is excited with little pressure to handle a talent like the PBA’s former three-time scoring champion.
“Very excited, although there is pressure because we don’t know if it will work,” Austria said.
“With a talent like Terrence, it gives us additional firepower at the backcourt. Imagine him playing alongside Alex Cabagnot, Chis Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos, Christian Standhardinger, June Mar Fajardo… it would be nice to coach a team loaded with talent,” added Austria. One issue that league observers see that would be a challenge is chemistry. The doubters are pointing to the previous stints of Romeo, first with his original team NorthPort (formerly GlobalPort) where he had a heated exchange with head coach Pido Jarencio during a game.