TERRENCE Romeo is as baffled as most PBA fans on why he hasn’t received a call from any league team since his last game with Terrafirma last season.
Now set to play for the Zamboanga Valientes in Dubai, Romeo told SPIN.ph that he doesn't know of any reason why members of the PBA board of governors would be upset with him, if ever they are.
“Wala akong alam eh. Hindi ko talaga alam kung ano 'yung nangyayari. Ikaw ba may alam ka na pwedeng nagawa ko?” Romeo said.
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The flamboyant 33-year old guard revealed that he is still open to a possible PBA return, but continues to wonder why he hasn’t been receiving any offer.
“Lagi akong open na bumalik sa PBA pero 'yun nga, hindi natin alam kung ano ang nangyayari,” he said.
“Actually, kung tatanungin mo ako, kaya ko pa ring makipagsabayan sa mga naglalaro sa PBA. Kahit nga out of shape ako (dati) naglalaro ako sa PBA. Pero hindi ko maisip ang dahilan eh,” added the former FEU Tamaraws star.
Still, Romeo stressed he's not pointing a finger at anybody.
“Hindi ako pwedeng mag-point finger at sisihin ang sinuman kung nasaan ako. Basta ako, kung ano na lang pwede kong i-control, dun na lang ako,” he said.
Asked if rumors are true that he is the subject of a 'silent ban' in the PBA, Romeo took a deep breath before answering.
“Ang hirap, ang hirap. Hindi ko alam eh. May ganun ba? Hindi ko alam kung ano sasabihin ko sa tanong na 'yan. Basta ako trabaho lang,” he said.
“Sa pagkakatanda ko, bago [ako] nalipat sa Terrafirma, wala naman akong complaints. Kahit bawas playing time ko, hindi naman ako nagrereklamo,” added the native of Imus, Cavite.
Grateful to Boss RSA
When asked about his decision to turn down an offer to play in Japan to stay at San Miguel during his time with the Beermen, Romeo's answer was a mixture of regret and gratitude.
“Sayang 'yun Japan dati, pero ganun talaga. Marunong tayo tumanaw ng utang na loob, lalo na kay boss RSA, sobrang bait. Malaki utang na loob ko sa kanya,” he said of SMC big boss Ramon S. Ang.
“Napakabait na boss ni boss RSA, kaya siguro kung mauulit yung time na naglalaro ako sa kanya at may offer ako ulit abroad, yung pag-stay ko sa kanya pa rin ang pipiliin ko,” added the three-time PBA scoring champion and seven-time All-Star.
Asked if he has a message for his former bosses in the PBA who maybe harboring ill-feelings towards him, Romeo said, “Wala naman ako message sa kanila. Kasi hindi ko alam kung mayroon nga talagang galit sa 'kin.
"Kasi sabi ko nga, wala naman ako talagang ginawang masama. At I am sure, nakikita ng tao yun. Kahit nga interview o rant sa game, wala akong naalalang ginawa ko,.
“Sa PBA, may message ako, kasi thankful ako sa kanila dahil nakalaro ako ng ilang taon. Pumutok pangalan ko sa PBA talaga,” he added.
Romeo said he is still giving himself a few more years to be PBA-ready but admits, time is no longer on his side.
“Sa ngayon, kaya ko pa rin naman makipag-sabayan sa PBA. I am sure may ibang teams pa rin naman ang may gusto sa 'kin. Pero hindi ko kontrolado ang sitwasyon. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ang nangyayari,” he said.
“Pero ako, gusto ko pang maglaro til I am 40 years old. Kung saan mang liga, PBA o kahit saan, ta-try ko maglaro sa mataas na level."
For now, Romeo plans to stay healthy and game-ready at all times, which according to him paid off with his surprise call-up by the Valientes, where he looks forward to flying the flag before Middle East-based compatriots.
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