IT has been weeks since Ismael Romero Fernandez's attack on Nick Demusis in a Dubai game, but veteran coach Yeng Guiao is not quick to forget.
The Rain or Shine coach on Monday added his voice to the growing sentiment that the Cuban-Puerto Rican import shouldn't be allowed to play for Meralco in a coming EASL game after kicking Demusis twice after a collision in Dubai.
READ Romero faces ban for attack on Demusis
In fact, Guiao said Romero, playing for Al Ahli Tripoli, wouldn't have gotten away easily with the January 28 assault at the Dubai International Basketball Invitational had Demusis been playing for ROS and not the Zamboanga Valientes.
"The Romero-Demusis incident would have been a lot more complicated if Nick was playing for Rain or Shine when the incident happened," he said. "Hindi sya matitiis ng teammates n'ya na gawin sa kanya ng opposing player ang ganun bagay."
Demusis, 34, played three seasons with Guiao at Rain or Shine after being acquired from Phoenix as part of Javee Mocon trade.
"Understandably, Rain or Shine is more invested in our relationship with Nick than the Zamboanga Valientes were, considering the time he spent with us and his closeness to his teammates," the outspoken coach added.
"Sure glad we did not have to go through the experience with Nick. Saved us a lot of trouble, probably Romero, too."
Guiao said there should be 'a consequence' to Romero's actions as he backed calls for punishment on the import, who is set to play for Meralco in a must-win EASL game against the Ryukyu Golden Kings on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gilas Pilipinas and Barangay Ginebra Tim Cone aired the same sentiment through his official Twitter page.
Romero has not issued any statement, much less an apology, since the incident. Meralco officials, however, said the import is 'remorseful' as they confirmed plans to play him in Wednesday's EASL game.
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