By Waylon Galvez
Defending four-time Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer resumed practice yesterday without seven superstars, including newly acquired ace shooting guard Terrence Romeo.
The extended rest, according to San Miguel governor Robert Non, are needed to recover from minor injuries and regain their strength from playing long minutes the previous season.
“They informed us that they would start practicing on Jan. 3, which is understandable because we played late November then some of them played for Gilas Pilipinas,” said Non, who was present at the team’s practice facility at the Acropolis gym in Quezon City.
Five players of SMB – June Mar Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos and Christian Standhardinger – served in the national team in the previous fifth window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers here.
Chris Ross is still in the United States, while Romeo – acquired in a trade with TNT KaTropa for David Semerad and Brian Heruela plus the team’s 2021 first round pick – continues to recover from a back injury.
Non said he is not concerned even if Romeo, as well as team mainstays Fajardo, the reigning four-time MVP, Santos, Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross and Standhardinger are not practicing.
According to Non, he knows that all seven are doing their part to stay in condition and game shape.
“These are professional players. When they resume training next week, I’m sure they’re all in good condition. Then it’s just a matter of practicing with the rest of the team under one system,” said Non.
