Romeo skips FIBA Asia WC qualifiers

MANILA, Philippines — GlobalPort hotshot Terrence Romeo, still undergoing a rehab procedure for a hurting leg, is still doubtful for Gilas Pilipinas’ games versus Australia and Japan in the second frame of the FIBA Asia World Cup qualifiers in February.

Gilas Pilipinas faces Australia in Adelaide on Feb. 22, then hosts Japan at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 25.

“Mga two months pa daw,” said Romeo, disappointed he’ll miss a long stretch of the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round and a crack at the Gilas lineup for its next two games in the “WC” qualifiers following earlier games against Japan and Chinese Taipei.

“Malabo, pero susubukan ko pa rin,” said Romeo, the Gilas leading scorer in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Beirut.

But due to a leg injury, the 5-foot-10 guard had to skip their games against the Japanese and the Taiwanese in the first window period of the World Cup home-and-away qualifying series.

Jason Castro, Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas directed the plays for the Nationals as they tripped Japanese, 77-71, in Tokyo on Nov. 24 then withstood the Taiwanese, 90-83, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 27.

Others making the Gilas team in their first two games were Andray Blatche, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, Calvin Abueva, Matthew Wright, RR Pogoy, Allein Maliksi and Gabe Norwood.