Romeo covers for Castro in TNT's win over Rain or Shine

MANILA,  Philippines — With Jayson Castro out, Terrence Romeo stepped up big time.

Romeo, TNT’s biggest acquisition in recent memory, made his presence felt: He facilitated on the offense, he put his teammate first, and he led his team to a victory that affords KaTropa a momentum going into the next round.

“Nagco-collapse kasi ‘yung defense sakin, so hinahanap ko lang ‘yung open man,” Romeo, who tallied a career-best 12 dimes in the win over top-ranked Rain or Shine on Saturday said. 

“Lahat naman ng kasama ko, alam ko magagaling eh. Capable umiskor. ‘Di ko na rin pinilit ‘yung sitwasyon,” he continued.

Romeo’s effort contributed to a spread that stretched by as many as 22 points. TNT accounted for 29 assists, a far cry to Rain from Shine’s 17.

"I think he was practicing his passing skill earlier so that's why he had 12 assists. If he looks to pass, he could hit the open guy. If he looks to shoot, he could get through the net so yeah, as long as he plays the game correctly, he should serve well,” Nash Racela, KaTropa’s mentor chimed in.

Castro was taking a backseat from his floor general chores to prepare for the quarterfinals where the defending conference champions San Miguel Beer are waiting for them.

TNT finished the elimination phased as the third-ranked team. They will tangle with the Beermen in a best-of-three series which begins on Monday night.

"’Di pa 'yun 'yung gusto namin makuha pero mas pagbubutihan namin sa playoffs. ‘Yun yung kailangan, makapasok kami sa semis then bahala na,” Romeo, whose farthest finish in his PBA career is at the semifinals when his old team GlobalPort ran into Alaska.