MERALCO coach Luigi Trillo admitted Ismael Romero will be the team's import in the coming PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup despite the controversy the 6-foot-9 Puerto Rican is facing.
'Coach Nenad said he will play for us," said Trillo, quoting active consultant Nenad Vucinic on Wednesday night after the Bolts were eliminated by the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the EASL Home and Away Season 3.
READ GAB already looking into Romero attack on Demusis, says chief
But he likewise stressed Romero should be ready to face the consequences of his physical attack on Fil-Am Nick Demusis during the 35th Dubai International Basketball Championship.
"I'm sure he should show some remorse. I think ang pinaka-maganda run ay makipag-ayos siya, meet the person personally, say sorry, and if he needs to man up to that, I think that will make him a better person," said Trillo at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was the first time Meralco addressed the issue since Romero arrived in the country from Dubai to play for the Bolts in the EASL.
The camp of Demusis filed a police complaint in Dubai about the incident which saw Romero kick the Zamboanga Valientes forward in the head and in the neck while down on the floor during the second quarter of the game against Al Ahli Tripoli.
A lot of local basketball fans - and even coaches Yeng Guiao and Tim Cone - condemned the incident and even urged Meralco management not to tap Romero as the Bolts' import.
But Trillo also begs for understanding for the 34-year-old Puerto Rican.
"He's only human," said the Meralco coach. "It's the first time that happened to him. I think today, he showed he was able to keep his composure."
Romero did play composed and finished with a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds in an 88-79 loss by Meralco.
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