By Dennis Principe
For some observers, the San Miguel group wasted what many believed was an opportunity to acquire a future star in Terrence Romeo as Brgy. Ginebra owned the fourth overall pick in the 2013 PBA Rookie Draft.
After Greg Slaughter (Ginebra), Ian Sangalang (San Mig Coffee and Raymond Almazan (Rain or Shine) were chosen as the first three picks that year, Ginebra could have taken Romeo as the fourth pick.
The popular ball club instead created a stir when it drafted a seemingly unknown James Forrester of Arellano University, giving NorthPort (formerly GlobalPort) the chance to obtain Romeo for the fifth pick overall.
Eventually, the oft-injured Forrester was deemed as a draft bust, with Romeo flourishing as one of the top guards of the pro league.
But then-Ginebra team manager and now San Miguel Corporation Sports Director Alfrancis Chua said they had no regret in passing up on the supposed opportunity.
“Hindi ako nagkamali dun dahil nung 2013, hindi namin kailangan si Terrence nun eh. Marami kami na ka-pwesto niya and let’s face it, no one knew he’s going to be that good,” said Chua. “Maraming players magaling sa college, pero pagdating sa PBA, wala. Pero meron din hindi magaling sa college, sa PBA, gumagaling.”
For one, Chua himself can’t be considered a bust in terms of managing the overall affairs of SMC’s PBA teams which, since that supposed infamous 2013 Draft, won 10 of 12 PBA conferences.
“Lahat ng picks namin pinag-aaralan namin although now, we’ll have a second chance. Again, Terrence was traded to us, we didn’t ask for him,” said Chua.
Chua meantime assured Romeo will be treated like family now that he will be playing with his third PBA ballclub.
Despite Romeo’s on-and-off court issues, Chua insists that the former FEU star deserves a second chance, something the successful executive is more than willing to give.
“Para sa akin kasi, ang isang anak pag sinabing black sheep, mali ang guidance. Dito sa San Miguel, ako na ang parang magulang niya,” said Chua. “I think, kung ano yung hindi niya nakuha sa ibang team para siya patinuin, baka sa akin makuha niya.”
“Hindi na niya siguro kami kayang kwestiyunin kasi sa dami ng championships namin. Sabi ko lang sa kaniya, hindi sila ang makikisama sa iyo. Ikaw ang makikisama sa kanila,” added Chua.
