By WAYLON GALVEZ
Games Tomorrow
(Smart Araneta)
4:30 p.m. – Columbian DYIP vs Meralco
7 p.m. – Phoenix Fuel vs Blackwater
TNT KaTropa guard Terrence Romeo will be asked to explain before PBA commissioner Willie Marcial statements attributed to him about officiating after his debut game against former team GlobalPort in the Commissioner’s Cup last Sunday.
Romeo had 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field with three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in 27 minutes of action.
However, what apparently burned in Romeo’s mind were the five turnovers assessed him, including three straight double dribbles (palming violations) during the fourth quarter.
After the game, Romeo went after a referee.
“Siguro may nakikita yung referee na talagang nakikita niya siguro yung sa galing ibang planeta,” said Romeo, who didn’t identify the referee who whistled him for the violations.
“Hindi ko alam kung ano. Ewan ko kung ‘sang planeta siya nag-referee before, eh wala akong magagawa. Pero ‘di bale, adjust na lang ako, sana makapasyal ako sa planeta nila next time,” added Romeo.
The comments apparently didn’t sit well with Marcial, who scheduled a summons within the week.
“Papatawag ko siya,” said Marcial.
Similar remarks from players as well as coaches and team officials lashing out at officiating usually end up being levied hefty fines. And while Marcial didn’t mention any just yet, sanctions could be forthcoming.
This is not the first time that Romeo has put himself in a spotlight as, after GlobalPort shipped him to TNT in trade for Mo Tautuaa, he posted on Twitter that criticized an online story.
Romeo’s new team TNT triumphed against his former team, 128-114, in a game marred by highly physical plays resulting to several flagrant fouls and the ejection of Tautuaa in the fourth quarter.
Assessed with technical fouls due to Flagrant 1 were GlobalPort reinforcement Malcolm White for elbowing TNT’s Jess Saitanan, and Joseph Gabayni for his second motion on Roger Pogoy.
The 6-foot-10 Tautuaa was given a Flagrant 2 – automatic ejection – when he finished his two-handed dunk with a kick at mid-air that hit TNT’s Jeremy Tyler late in the final quarter.
Marcial is likewise expected to call the players involved at the league office in Libis, Quezon City.
