GLOBALPORT is saving its best for its last game of the eliminations with the return of its flamboyant superstar Terrence Romeo in its PBA Philippine Cup matchup against Phoenix on Friday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Romeo is set to make his comeback after missing the first 10 games of the conference due to a knee injury that he has nursed since late last year, which also forced him to miss Gilas Pilipinas duty for the first two windows of the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers.
“Maglalaro na ako,” the Batang Pier combo guard beamed ahead of the encounter against the Fuel Masters at 4:30 p.m., a boost for a Batang Pier side that has leaned on a balanced effort led by Stanley Pringle, Sean Anthony, and Kelly Nabong in his absence.
Barring a blowout defeat, the Batang Pier, sporting a 5-5 win-loss record, are already through to the quarterfinals whatever the outcome of the doubleheader on Friday night. They will end up either in sixth seed in a best-of-three series against the third seed or seventh seed in a twice-to-win disadvantage against second-seeded Magnolia.
Still, GlobalPort, coming off a 108-91 rout of Kia last week, is seeking to sustain its momentum heading into the postseason and will need all the help it can get.
Romeo, who averaged 18.4 points, 2.7 triples, 5.1 assists, and 2.6 rebounds, against 4.4 turnovers in 30.9 minutes in the last Governors’ Cup, gives the Batang Pier the extra firepower against a Phoenix side that’s running 10th at 4-6 and in a must-win situation to stay in contention for a spot in the next round.