Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Terrence Romeo is among the young Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) cagers called to join the Gilas Pilipinas’ training pool, from which new coach Tab Baldwin will form a competitive team that will gun for the gold in the FIBA Asia Championship in September.
Related: Gilas Pilipinas pool announced
Romeo said he is honored to be part of the elite group, more so be mentored by no less than former Gilas captain Jimmy Alapag.
Alapag, who retired from professional basketball seven months ago but could make a comeback if duty calls, is a veteran of international tiffs who left fans all over the world in awe with his stellar shooting from beyond the arc during the FIBA World Cup in Spain.
“Sobrang malaking privilege yun na si kuya Jimmy yung nagtuturo sakin kasi sobrang experienced na siya sa international and alam niya na kung paano laruin yung international games,” said GlobalPort’s spitfire guard after the national team’s first official practice on Monday (August 3).
“Tinuturuan niya ako ng mga pointers sa dribble-drive (offense), kung saan ako pwede umatake at kung saan yung mga pasa na makikita ko na open yung mga teammates ko.“
Playing with league veterans like Asi Taulava, Sonny Thoss, and Dondon Hontiveros, the sophomore guard out of Far Eastern University said his game has to mature soonest time possible.
Related: Taulava: Honored to be part of Gilas pool at 42
“Kailangan ko mag-mature kasi lahat ng teammates ko magagaling na,” said Romeo.
“Para sa akin hindi ko na iniisip kung ano yung role ko basta kung ano yung tingin ko makakatulong sa team kung ano yung ipapagawa ni coach Tab sakin at kung ano yung tamang basketball.”
So far, Romeo made a good account of himself.
“The good thing about Romeo is nagtatanong siya, willing siya matuto,” said Jayson Castro after Monday’s practice at the Meralco Gym in Pasig.
Asia’s best point guard added, “Magaling siya, alam naman nating lahat yun. Malaking advantage samin kasi kaya nya i-break 1-on-1 yung bantay. Maganda sa FIBA yun.“
Related: Alapag-Castro tandem in FIBA Asia Championship?
