Despite the shooting struggles the past three games of the semifinals, Globalport guard Terrence Romeo is keeping a positive attitude going into today’s Game 5 of the series against Alaska.
After exploding with a career-best 41 points in a 107-93 win in Game 1, Romeo’s numbers dropped in the next three matches – all resulting to defeats by Batang Pier as they now trail 1-3 in the best-of-seven showdown in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup.
“Positive pa rin kami na kaya naming maka-bounce back,” said the 5-11 Romeo.
After that 41-point performance, Romeo was held to only 20 points in a 76-100 setback in Game 2, 17 points in a 69-82 defeat in Game 3 where he was ejected from in the third quarter, and 24 points in their 109-84 Game 4 loss.
Romeo’s field goal shooting has been horrendous.
Except for that 12-of-21 (57%) series opener performance, the former UAAP MVP from Far Eastern University has combined 24-of-61 field goal shooting, 9-of-30 from three-point territory.
Romeo credited Alaska’s defense with his shooting woes.
“Apat na tao ‘yung nilalagay nila sa akin, paiba-iba,” said Romeo. “Actually, hindi lang sa akin, pati sa ibang teammates ko rin. Mahirap, di kami maka-connect sa mga shots namin.”
Romeo’s backcourt partner Stanley Pringle also pointed to Globalport’s shooting struggles.
“We’ve been shooting badly. It’s a learning experience for us,” said Pringle.
“They’ve been playing really good defense, but it’s definitely (our) shooting. We’ve been hitting (shots) during the year and we’re just not hitting them right now. That’s what happens with fatigue,” he added.
After converting 48 percent of their shots in Game 1, Batang Pier only made 34 percent of their shots the next three games, and Pringle said this has to improve in Game 5 to stand a chance against Alaska.
“We’re just going to keep shooting, try to get our rhythm back,” Pringle said.