By Jonas Terrado
San Miguel Beer guard Terrence Romeo has a good chance of making it to the opening of the PBA Philippine Cup after spraining his right ankle in a recent tune-up game.
Terrence Romeo could be ready in time for San Miguel’s season opener against Magnolia despite suffering an ankle injury last week. (MB photo | Rio Leonelle Deluvio)
Team governor Robert Non said Romeo will be cleared to join regular practices next week after the Beermen guard was only diagnosed with a regular sprain sustained in an exhibition against the Alaska Aces.
Romeo’s status gave the Beermen a sigh of relief since they can’t afford to lose one of their main players with June Mar Fajardo ruled out for the whole duration of the season-opening conference due to a fractured right tibia.
Marcio Lassiter also missed last week’s mini-tournament after breaking his nose during a tune-up against Rain or Shine.
But Non said Lassiter has already rejoined SMB practices and could also be in uniform for the March 8 match against Magnolia to kick off the league’s 45th season at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
SMB is also slated to face Rain or Shine on March 13 at the Big Dome before the Leo Austria-coached squad takes a 12-day break.
The Beermen’s other games in March are against the Columbian Dyip on the 25th and the Aces on the 27th at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Terrence Romeo grimaces in pain as San Miguel PT Edward Bacason and strength and conditioning coach Gerald Tenorio check on his right ankle. Also in the photo is a worried Beermen team governor Robert Non. (Jonas Terrado)
Romeo got hurt after stepping on an exercise machine located at the right baseline at the end of the first half of the game against the Aces last Friday at the Upper Deck Sports Center.
The Finals Most Valuable Player of last year’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup said he heard something popped but was seen after the game walking on his own, though gingerly.
Fajardo’s absence is expected to see a change in direction for the Beermen, with Romeo likely to part a prominent role on offense.
Romeo averaged 12.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 48 games last season that saw SMB capturing a fifth straight Philippine Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup for the second time in three years.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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