Terrence Romeo begged off from playing during Terrafirma game, says Jorge Gallent

Terrence Romeo politely begged off from playing during San Miguel’s game against Terrafirma last Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The 30-year old shooting guard out of Far Eastern University was activated prior to the match against the Dyip after 8 months of being on the injured list due to a nagging back injury.

The Beermen, however, found no need for the former three-time PBA scoring champion and demolished their already-eliminated opponent by 28 points to pick up win number 5 with just 2 games left on their elimination round schedule.

SMB lead assistant Jorge Gallent, who called the shots anew as head coach Leo Austria remained unavailable due to the league’s health protocols, admitted after the lopsided victory that he tried to put Romeo in the game but the Imus, Cavite native declined.

“Terrence didn’t want to play. I wanted him to go inside at least to feel the game, but he said maybe next game,” explained Gallent during the post-game press conference.

“As of now, I was forcing him to go inside but he really didn’t want to,” he added.

Romeo last saw action on March 18, 2022 during the Beermen’s quarterfinal series against the Meralco Bolts in the Season 46 Governors’ Cup. He dropped 17 points in a losing effort in the winner-take-all Game 2.

The 5-time PBA All-Star is expected to finally see action on Saturday, November 26 for San Miguel’s crucial match against TNT.

“We just have to manage his minutes first and then when he’s really a hundred percent, then he will get his minutes back,” said Gallent.