by Waylon Galvez
San Miguel Beer guard Terrence Romeo got a bit emotional midway in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals, an outburst that led to his ejection resulting from back-to-back technical fouls against the Magnolia Hotshots on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After a foul by Magnolia's Mark Barroca, Romeo approached referee Peter Balao, and appeared to have thrown the ball towards the veteran game official. Balao gave Romeo a technical foul with 6:23 left to play with SMB comfortably ahead, 96-80.
Terrence Romeo of San Miguel Beer is guarded by Justin Melton of Magnolia. (PBA Images)
A frustrated Romeo, who came off the bench with 13 points and two rebounds, continued to argue the call, resulting in a second technical foul that led to his ejection.
The seven-year pro felt the calls were not fair – even the referee.
“Para sa akin napansin ko kasi ‘yung referee, kanina pa niya tinatawagan ako ng mali so 'yun 'yung… 'yun lang talaga 'yung mainit sa akin tingin ko. Favorite niya ako so ayun,” said Romeo.
“Nakakainis lang kasi alam ko nakikita naman niya eh, sa harapan niya nangyayari. Tapos pinasa ko lang 'yung bola sa kanya, tapos tinechnical na kaagad niya ako.”
“Ewan ko, may nakikita yata na hindi ko nakikita 'yung referee na 'yun. Tapos 'yung dapat niyang makita hindi niya nakikita,” he added.
During that incident as Romeo's teammates were pacifying him. An obviously disappointed SMB governor Robert Non was on the sidelines shouting at Romeo to stop, even directing him to go to the locker room after being thrown out of the game.
Romeo said he didn't know what Non was saying since his focus was on Balao. He mentioned that he hopes for understanding – particularly from Non, as well as his teammates.
“Hindi ako nakinig, basta hindi ako nakinig. Hindi ako nakinig sa kung anong sinasabi niya kasi inaaway ko 'yung referee. So ang alam ko inaaway ko 'yung referee,” said Romeo.
“Dapat 'yung side namin (players) yung dapat maintindihan niya. Yung side namin kasi, syempre nakaka-frustrate sa side ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong sinasabi niya.”
“Hindi ko pinakinggan… hindi ako nakinig kasi nga nagagalit ako sa referee,” added Romeo.
Asked to comment, Non said it’s already a non-issue as he talked to Romeo again following the game that SMB won 108-101 to tie the best-of-seven title series at 1-1 with Game 3 set Sunday also at the Big Dome.
“Wala na yung tapos na yun,” said Non.
Romeo is treating it too as all under the bridge. His focus is on helping SMB win Game 3.
“Move on na ako sa next game. Kain ulit ako sa bahay, kain akong marami, nood akong Netflix, laruin ko ‘yung baby ko, nood kami ng wife ko sa Netflix,” said Romeo.