Terrence Romeo is asking for a trade and I am not surprised.
I just took a break from stat-checking my Top 100 PBA Players of All-Time. One thing I noticed is how a PBA title helps a player get a Hall of Fame career. Ramon Fernandez has 19 titles under his belt while Allan Caidic has only four championships. Alvin Patrimonio only had six championships and to shock me senseless, Asi Taulava only had one PBA title! I mean… darn it Bal David and that game-winning halfcourt heave!
Anyway, Romeo’s best campaigns came when GlobalPort had a fighting chance. Said campaigns however, aren’t as consistent.
Here are five possible landing spots for Terrence Romeo.
Meralco Bolts
I don’t know if Meralco can afford to deal Norman Black favourite Chris Newsome and MVP favourite Baser Amer. I can see Cliff Hodge leaving though with Garvo Lanete tagging along. It’s hard to part with Hodge and it’s going to mess with their inside game but Romeo is a talent worth acquiring. Hodge is the only asset apart from Newsome and Amer worthy for a two-for-one trade.
GlobalPort wants Newsome, Amer, or both but repeating my initial trade thoughts, I can’t see Meralco parting ways with their two “homegrown” talents.
If I could: Meralco trades Cliff Hodge, Garvo Lanete, and a future first rounder for Terrence Romeo and Billy Mamaril.
Alaska Aces
Alaska is also a potential home for the scoring champion. It’s eerie to have him and Jeron Teng in one team but I bet these guys could work together to take the Aces back to prominence. Romeo can be a one-for-one trading partner for the disgruntled Calvin Abueva and perhaps a surprise trade to send Sonny Thoss or JV Casio out of Alaska. I guess the mission here for GlobalPort is to lure Abueva out of Alaska. The Beast is only averaging 25 minutes and less for the Aces and I think I can see Franz Pumaren expanding his minutes (for as long as he veers away from controversy).
But the thing about GlobalPort is that for the longest time, they lacked the height to compete. Sure Thoss is in his mid-30s but he’ll let Stanley Pringle, Sean Anthony, Macmac Cardona, and even Bradwyn Guinto and Jonathan Grey for that matter flourish. And If GlobalPort wants Casio, then La Salle… I mean GlobalPort could slide Pringle to the two-spot and perhaps instigate some sort of career revival for the former Smart-Gilas star. But perhaps GlobalPort could get a two-for-one with one of these two and perhaps a Vic Manuel or a Chris Banchero?
If I could: Straight Up! Terrence Romeo for Calvin Abueva
Blackwater Elite
Let’s have Blackwater in the mix. The thing about the Elite is that they need offensive firepower. They need a closer – as witnessed in their quarterfinal matchup against the Meralco Bolts. I can see GlobalPort shoring up their frontline with Mac Belo and they can throw in budget-friendly quarterback Mike DiGregorio. If they are going to deal Belo, then Global needs to send Arnold Van Opstal as well. I don’t know how Van Opstal is with his teammates but I find it puzzling to see him struggle in the big leagues.
And then Blackwater can give away their first round pick.
I know Blackwater improved… but the verdict is up on whether or not they can win without the great Henry Walker carrying them on his back. And this is why the Elite’s first round pick is a hot commodity. Other than the Kia pick, this could be a chance for GlobalPort to compete for Bobby Ray Parks (whenever that will be), Jason Brickman, or “Baby Beast” CJ Perez.
If I could: Blackwater gives away Mac Belo, Mike DiGregorio, and their 2018 first round pick for Terrence Romeo and Arnold Van Opstal.
San Miguel Beermen
And finally, let’s have San Miguel again in the trade mix. I know seeing this looks bad… and believe me, writing this is no cakewalk either… but the Beermen have the means to pry Romeo away from GlobalPort. GP once had Alex Cabagnot, Gabby Espinas, and Chris Ross (when they were still called Coca-Cola) as well as former San Miguel holdovers Jay Washington, Solomon Mercado, and RR Garcia.
Basically the Beermen and the Batang Pier have had a longstanding partnership.
I can’t see the Beermen unloading their slew of benchies to annex Bromeo though. If Chito Narvasa wants to keep his job (or whatever it is he has now), San Miguel needs to get rid of a starter which is either Alex Cabagnot or Chris Ross.
Or hey, maybe Arwind Santos?
So here’s my list. Did I miss any team out?
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