Guiao raves about Romeo: 'He's PBA's most talented, pound-for-pound'

BATANGAS CITY — Coach Yeng Guiao is someone who doesn’t mince his words.

Neither does he hold back with compliments.

Having coached eventual champions and even an edition of the Philippine national team, Guiao, who mentored the Smart All-Stars in the Luzon stop of the PBA’s All-Star Week in Batangas on Friday night, rained praises on the showcase’s Most Valuable Player.

“Sinasabi ko ever since, pound-for-pound, he’s probably the most talented player in the league,” the tactician said of Terrence Romeo, who scattered 48 points in the game.

"Siguro ang tanong lang doon is how he carries that talent, how he utilizes that talent. But in the game tonight, he showed that he is in that class of players who can make themselves record-holders in a game where the best of the best are playing,” Guiao added.

Romeo waxed hot early in the game, already scoring 26 points halfway through the game.

.@tbvromeo and his TNT teammates are leading Smart All-Stars in scoring. The crowd favorite guard already has 26 points at the half (??). He also has five assists and three boards. Despite being severely undermanned, they lead the Luzon team, 86-70. #PBAAllStar18onPhilStar pic.twitter.com/N56AGITuWo

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) May 25, 2018

“Testament ‘yun sa talent ng bata,” Guiao added of the TNT guard.

Romeo's feat on Friday night marks the third time he has won the mid-season showcase's top honors. He won it in Cebu last year and in 2015 in the Capital.

The hotshot guard can tie Matthew Wright’s back-to-back MVP plums when the All-Star festivities conclude in Iloilo City on Sunday night. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.