TerraFirma Dyip guard Terrence Romeo against the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. Photo from PBA Images.

MANILA — Terrence Romeo has finally played his first game for TerraFirma Dyip.

After being dealt to the Raymond Tiongco-coached team, Romeo has finally logged in his first minutes with the squad during their clash against the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday.

The former Far Eastern University superstar finished with three points and two assists in their 89-84 loss against Magnolia, and this was after he missed the team’s first eight assignments this conference.

“Masaya ako na nakabalik na ulit. First time ko ulit mag five-on-five in more than one month or two months,” said Romeo, who came to the Dyip together with Vic Manual from the San Miguel Beermen in ex for Andreas Cahilig.

The one-time PBA Finals MVP only stepped on the hardwood for 13:33 minutes, and this, according to Romeo, was Dyip head coach Raymond Tiongco’s strategy to slowly integrate him into their system.

“’Di pa ako nakasabay sa mga past practices namin, pero hopefully, mas makatulong pa ako sa mga next games namin,” he shared.

“Kailangan pa makuha yung rhythm. Maganda yung nilalaro ni Stanley [Pringle], tapos ako, medyo kinukuha ko pa yung timing ko. Hindi pa talaga tuloy-tuloy pa rin yung minutes ko, pero reads pa rin ni Coach Raymond yun. Nakikita naman niya yung game, at alam niyang wala pa yung timing ko,” added the former Gilas Pilipinas guard.

However, despite still finding his groove on the floor, Romeo assured that he is now fully recovered from the right calf injury that sidelined him ever since playing for San Miguel in the East Asia Super League (EASL).

“Healthy na ako, yung timing na lang sa game,” explained Terrence. “Sinasabi ko nga sa teammates and coaches ko na bigyan lang ako ng konti pang games kasi ayoko lang biglain. Gusto ko muna ma-feel yung game, yung court, tapos hindi ko pa alam gaano yung mga plays.”

“Pero yung percent ng kondisyon ko, nasa 80 to 90% na ako. Hopefully, next game pataas na nang pataas. Tignan natin. Nagi-ingat pa rin ako, so siguro next games, unti-unti nang itataas ko yung intensity,” he furthered.

Meanwhile, even with the limited playing that he got in his first game back, Terrence was able to briefly share the floor with his former Globalport Batang Pier backcourt mate Pringle.

And this, shared one-half of the duo which was once called ‘Slash Bros,’ brought back some memories to him.

“Sobrang saya ng pakiramdam,” Romeo said. “Dati, nung Globalport days namin, marami kaming memories.”

Romeo and Pringle performed stellar showings and plentiful jaw-dropping plays during their time with the Batang Pier, but he knows that it is now time for them to serve as veterans for the young and struggling Dyip team.

“Marami kaming memories, mga highlights na ginawa, tapos ngayon, kami na ngayon yung mga veterans so nakakatuwa,” he said. “So ready lang kami na makatulong sa mga rookies.”

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