PHILIPPINE basketball star Terrence Romeo has returned to an old love—3×3 play.
The flamboyant guard will suit up for the Manila Melmac quartet set to carry the country’s colors in the FIBA 3×3 Manila Challenger from Sept. 20-21 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque.
Romeo last saw action in the half-court game 10 years ago for Team Manila West in the World Tour, also on home soil.
The 5-foot-11 Romeo’s 3×3 comeback—made possible with the all-out support of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas led by its executive director Erika Dy—is surely a bittersweet homecoming of sorts.
The decision to give 3×3 another shot was a no-brainer for Romeo—and with the big help of Melmac Sports founder Mel Macasaquit.
“Unang-una, tumawag sa akin si kuya Mel na kung puwede akong maglaro sa 3×3. Actually, two days, Sa Sept. 20 and 21, so sabi ko kay kuya Mel, kung para sa bayan maglalaro ako and hindi ko kailangan ng any offer or what basta para sa bayan, I’m available kapag kailangan ako,” Romeo said yesterday during the team’s first practice at the Activate Sports Center in SM Light Mall in Mandaluyong. “Sabi ko sa kanya, babalik din ako, kasi dahil sa pagkakaibigan namin. Actually, matagal kaming hindi nagkita ni kuya Mel pero iyong pagkakaibigan namin, laging nandoon.
“So, tumatanaw lang din ako ng utang na loob kay kuya Mel and isa rin siya sa kumbaga unang-unang nag-reach out sa akin kung puwede ba akong mag-comeback sa 3×3. Ten years ago na iyong last na laro ko sa 3×3 and excited ako ulit na maglaro para sa country natin,” he added.
Romeo will link up with 3×3 gunner Mac Tallo, Henry Iloka, and Abdul Sawat with coach Chico Lanete calling the shots.
With the fire on his former flame back and the hunger to compete stronger than ever, Romeo, who joined in the Manila Melmac’s scrimmages and did not look to have missed a beat, vowed to bring his A-Game.
“Asahan ng fans na ibibigay ko iyong best ko,” he said. “Gagawin ko iyong best ko para makatulong sa team and hopefully, makuha namin iyong goal namin.”
