TERRENCE Romeo conceded to Alaska’s suffocating defense that contained him in their Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series that came to an abrupt end on Tuesday night.
After exploding for a career-high 41 points on 57 percent shooting rom the field in the series opener, the Batang Pier star was held to just 20.3 points on 38.7-percent shooting in the next four games.
Romeo, who wound up with just 20 points with five turnovers in Globalport’s 118-89 Game Five loss, credited the Aces for doing their homework.
“Isang magandang experience yung Alaska yung nakatapat namin,” last year’s Most Improved Player said. “Yung Alaska, para sa akin, yung pinakamagaling mag-scout defensively sa kalaban. At sila yung pinaka-organized na team.”
It took the Aces at least four players taking turns in shadowing the player arguably considered as the league’s best young star today.
“Nung Game Two, apat o limang players ata yung nagpalitan sa’kin tapos ngayon grabe, hawak pa lang ako ng bola sa three points, dino-double na ako,” Romeo said. “Sobrang nagulat ako sa depensa. Sobrang ganda ng scouting ng Alaska.”
Romeo remained satisfied despite his team’s exit following a first-ever Final Four appearance.
“Hindi namin napuntahan yung gusto naming ma-accomplish, pero syempre masaya pa rin kami dahil sa narating ng team,” the 5-foot-11 playmaker said. “At least nagawa namin yung best namin para makapasok ng semis.”
“Although hindi namin nakuha yung pinaka-goal namin, at least marami kaming natutunan at I’m sure, yung mga natutunan namin, madadala namin sa mga darating pa naming games,” he added.
Among the things he learned was managing to adjust on the fly, and keeping himself in shape throughout a grueling series.
“Kailangan talaga na mabilis kang mag-adjust,” Romeo started. “Every game, may ibabato sa’yo na iba’t-ibang depensa. Kailangan din na alagaan mo yung katawan mo during the series, lalo na’t may times na naka-focus yung depensa sa’yo, mahirap.”
“Tingin ko to yung stepping stone para mas gumanda yung chemistry namin at maging solid pa kami lalo,” the 23-year-old guard said.
Romeo, though, is bracing for a tougher campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup that’s lorded over by imports.
“Laging nandun yung hunger para makabawi, laging nandun yung excitement, kasi mas mahirap na ‘to eh dahil may import na, so panibagong adjustment,” he said. “Kailangan pagbutihan namin.”