MANILA – TNT KaTropa head coach Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena refused to confirm or deny whether Terrence Romeo is on his way out of the team amid the trade rumors surrounding his star guard.
But the Iloilo City native mentor may have dropped a hint when he said the KaTropa is in a search for a backup guard – Romeo’s role in the team – in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday.
“Honestly, iyong kay Terrence, I have no idea what’s the latest. I don’t know what’s happening,” said Ravena. “Nagpa-practice siya and then that thing happened na nangyari iyong mga rumors na iyon.”
“Basta sa Draft ang hanap namin is a backup guard e. Siyempre kailangan ni Jayson (Castro) ng help. Wala naman kaming problema sa wing e, sa 2 or 3, iyong hinahanap namin is 1 and 5,” he added.
KaTropa team consultant Mark Dickel, for his part, said the former Far Eastern University Tamaraws star is still part of the team as they prepare for the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.
“I really don’t know about those rumors. Moving forward, he’s in practice. As far as we’re concerned, it’s happening like he’s a regular member of our team as we get ready for the next conference,” Dickel said.
Romeo was just in his second conference in the KaTropa after being traded by NorthPort Batang Pier along with center Yousef Taha in exchange for former top-overall pick Moala Tautuaa.
The former Gilas Pilipinas guard had averages of 21.44 points, 3.44 rebounds and 5.22 assists during the Governors’ Cup but failed to steer the KaTropa to the playoffs.
Meanwhile, NLEX Road Warriors acquired the No. 4 pick in Sunday’s PBA Rookie Draft from Phoenix Fuel Masters in exchange for veterans Alex Mallari and Dave Marcelo.
The move to the Fuel Masters will be Mallari’s fifth time to change teams while this will be the third squad of Marcelo./PN
