DESPITE a gallant stand and a vintage performance from Terrence Romeo, the MLV-Zamboanga Valientes absorbed a heartbreaking 90-92 overtime loss to Syria’s Al Karamah in the 2026 Dubai International Basketball Invitational.
Trailing since the middle of the first quarter, the Valientes relied on the 33-year-old Romeo to bring them back into the game with crucial baskets in the dying minutes of regulation that knotted the score at 82-all, leading to extra time.
READ Terrence Romeo perplexed on why no PBA team is calling
The former PBA scoring champion continued his assault in overtime, teaming up with Vic Manuel and Gilas prospect Malik Diouf to keep the Syrians in sight until a buzzer-beater by Keven Eloy sealed the win for Al Karamah.
Missed opportunities plagued the Filipino squad on the dying minutes of the game. While the Syrians had a grand time on the free throw line with 41 attempts, making 32, the Valientes went 17 for 26 from the charity stripe.
Diouf missed four critical free throws that shifted the momentum, while the Valientes were outrebounded 43-23 despite a tall frontline that boasts 7-foot-6 Sam Deguara, Anthony Bennett and seven-foot Greg Slaughter, who was used sparingly.
Romeo finished with 18 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals, supported by former NBA top pick Bennett with 16 points, and Deguara, who chipped in 14 points before fouling out in the fiinal quarteir.
Meanwhile, Brandon Alston topscored for Al Kamarah with 22 points while Magbo Bo Aetah contributed 16.
Now holding an 0-2 record, the Valientes face a steep climb to the playoffs. They return to action on Wednesday at 1 a.m. (Manila time) against Al Ahli Tripoli, followed by a match against Sports Club Beirut the next day.
To advance, Zamboanga must sweep their remaining games and hope Al Karamah wins their next two assignments.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
