Globalport coach Pido Jarencio gave ace guard Terrence Romeo a week’s rest to recover following his campaign with Gilas Pilipinas in the just concluded FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China.
Batang Pier team manager Bonnie Tan said the coaching staff gave the 5-foot-10 Romeo time off to rest and to regain his strength following the nearly two-month preparations for the FIBA tournament.
“We gave him a week, which started Monday (upon the arrival of Gilas) from China, but Terrence will join us in our training camp at Anvaya Cove (in Morong, Bataan),” said Tan.
Romeo has been with the national team since practice session started Aug. 3 under coach Tab Baldwin.
Aside from the daily practice sessions, the national team also played in a pocket tournament in Estonia, the William Jones Cup in Taiwan and the MVP Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In the FIBA Asia Championship, Romeo played in all nine games of the Nationals, including the gold medal game against China where he finished with nine points, five rebounds and three assists in nearly 20 minutes of action in a 67-78 defeat last Saturday.
Romeo averaged 12.2 points per game – third in team scoring behind naturalized center Andray Blatche and Jayson Castro – with 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in the FIBA series.
Tan said he was happy with Romeo’s stint with the national team as it has given him maturity and valuable experience. Gilas coach Tab Baldwin also helped him adjust as a two-way player instead of just being a scorer.
“Malaking bagay yung pagkakasama ni Terrence sa national team, I’m sure makakatulong yun hindi lang sa kanya kung hindi sa buong team. Ibang exposure kasi yung naibibigay playing in international tournament,” said Tan.