MANILA – GlobalPort Batang Pier finally pulled the plug by trading Terrence Romeo to TNT KaTropa in a two-team, three-player trade.
Romeo and center Yousef Taha was shipped to KaTropa in exchange for Moala Tautuaa and 2020 and 2021 first-round draft rights, in a deal approved by the PBA trade committee Tuesday afternoon.
Batang Pier team manager Bonnie Tan said it was with a heavy heart that they let go of Romeo but they look forward to having Tautuaa, the top overall pick in the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft.
“It’s sad to let go one of the hottest players in the land but we will not stand in the way of one’s desire and happiness. So with a heavy hard, we are trading our top star,” Tan said.
“We have so much respect for the guy but we, as a team, must also move on toward our main goal, which is to get better and contend for our first-ever championship,” he added. “Tautuaa could be the missing link to our championship aspiration.”
KaTropa team manager Virgil Villavicencio welcomed the arrival of Romeo to the team, saying the latter deserves another chance despite everything said about his playing style.
“A lot has been said on what kind of player Terrence is but he deserves a second chance,” Villavicencio said. “It’s a win-win situation for both parties. Talking about basketball skill-wise, who would pass up on a talent like Terrence Romeo?”
Romeo will be reunited with former Far Eastern University Tamaraws teammate Ryan Roose “RR” Garcia, Roger Pogoy, Al Francis Tamsi, and rookie Monbert Arong and head coach Nash Racela.
A Gilas Pilipinas mainstay, Romeo requested to be traded as early as last season. He was nearly dealt to Meralco Bolts but this did not push through. He once again made the request after his spat with Batang Pier mentor Pido Jarencio.
Curiously, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Romeo should make his KaTropa debut in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup against Batang Pier on April 22 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum./PN
