It’s been a struggle for Terrafirma to book a win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and the road gets even harder for the Dyip with undefeated Meralco the next obstacle at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium today. The bad news is Terrence Romeo is still unable to suit up but the good news is Brandon Edwards will finally see action, replacing the lumbering seven-foot giant Ryan Richards.
Edwards, 33, was tapped to reinforce Terrafirma in the previous conference but went down with a left knee injury during a preseason tune-up against Meralco. Antonio Hester checked in to sub for Edwards and couldn’t lead the Dyip to more than one win in the Governors’ Cup.
Now that Edwards is in harness, team manager Ronald Tubid said he’s looking forward to a turnaround from a 0-3 start. “Taas ng energy level sa practice,” said Tubid. “Kwatro ang laro ni Edwards kaya sanay bumantay ng big guys.” It’s uncanny that Edwards will make his PBA debut against Meralco, the same team that Terrafirma faced and beat when he suffered the knee hyperextension.
Edwards went the full four-year route at the University of Texas-Arlington and in his senior season in 2013-14, averaged 16.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots, hitting .593 from the field, .355 from three and .791 from the line. What stood out in his college stats was his free throw marksmanship which was a lofty .857 as a freshman. In the pros, Edwards was just as steady at the stripe, hitting .804 in Spain in 2015-16, .818 in Finland in 2016-17, .825 in Israel in 2018-19 and .849 in France in 2020-21.
Fresh out of college, Edwards had a workout with the Dallas Mavericks in 2014, didn’t make the NBA grade then embarked on a globetrotting career that brought him to Spain, Greece, Finland, Israel, France, Hong Kong, Macau and Kosovo. This past season, Edwards was on championship teams in Liga Unike and Kosovo.
Tubid said Romeo is recovering from a calf strain that he sustained during a recent San Miguel Beer game in EASL. “Araw araw nasa practice si Terrence, kausap niya mga players, giving advice, showing support,” said Tubid. “Strengthening ang ginagawa niya ngayon. Nagsimula yung strain sa tuhod tapos sa calf. Sana makabalik na at kailangan namin siya.” If Romeo returns in January, Terrafirma will play only three more games against Magnolia on Jan. 10, Blackwater on Jan. 15 and TNT on Jan. 22. It might be too late the hero.
Tubid said Vic Manuel, who jumped on board with Romeo in the off-conference, has been a boost, averaging 22.5 points in his first two outings. And the Muscleman’s still not at full strength, having averaged only 7:08 minutes with San Miguel in the Governors’ Cup so he’s just getting used to extended mileage.
Rookie Mark Nonoy, who sat out the Governors’ Cup to finish his MPBL obligations, has been a bright spot as a starter, averaging 12.7 points. “Ang advice ko kay Mark ay pattern ang laro niya kay Jayson Castro,” said Tubid. “Noong rookie si Jayson, ‘di siya outstanding shooter pero tinyaga niya at naging threat sa labas at loob. Kung didikitan mo, lalampasin ka at kung mag-sag ka, titirahan ka sa labas.” Nonoy is quick like The Blur and Tubid said he’d like him to be the next Castro.
Terrafirma’s only victim last conference was TNT, the eventual Governors’ Cup champion. The Dyip is hoping to surprise a lot more teams in the Commissioner’s Cup with Edwards leading the charge.