GlobalPort ace rookie Romeo breaks Air21’s heart

MANILA, Philippines –Terrence Romeo, an exciting player in the amateurs, came through with a flamboyant 34-point show in his second game in the pros, leading Globalport to a 114-110 whipping of Air21 in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday night.

Romeo, the 2013 UAAP MVP winner drafted fifth in the last PBA rookie draft, drained six triples, four twinners and eight charities in the most productive performance by any PBA rookie since Kelly Williams made 35 in a game in his freshman year in 2006.

Jay Washington produced double-double numbers with 19 points and 12 rebounds while Sol Mercado added 14 markers as the Batang Pier nailed their first win under interim coach Richie Ticzon.

“Good thing, we’re able to make our three-point shots. Last game, we got only three out of 22 attempts. We made 10 of 27 this time, and that’s a big key,” said Ticzon.

The rookie PBA coach, a former pro player with stints with Purefoods, Shell and Alaska Milk, wasn’t surprised with Romeo’s performance.

“He’s really specially. We’ve seen that from his UAAP days,” said Ticzon.

Romeo, meanwhile, said he just followed their game plan.

The former FEU Tamaraw hit his strides in the final half, pouring 14 points in the third and 12 in the fourth, and the Batang Pier went roaring with him, breaking away from a 47-46 count at the half.

The Batang Pier bounced back from a loss to the Petron Blaze Boosters Wednesday while the Express reeled with a second straight defeat.

The scores:

GlobalPort 114 - Romeo 34, Washington 19, Mercado 14, Ponferrada 8, Menk 7, Salvador 7, Garcia 7, Belencion 6, Najorda 6, Salvador 4, Hayes 2.

Air21 100 - Yeo 24, Taulava 21, Jaime 13, Canaleta 11, Custodio 8, Manuel 8, Camson 6, Espiritu 3, Sharma 3, Ritualo 3, Menor 0, Arboleda 0.

Quarterscores: 20-18, 47-46, 83-74, 114-100