Police questions Terrence Romeo over Quezon City bar fight

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 1:09 p.m.) — Shortly after getting involved in the fracas that marred Gilas Pilipinas’ outing in a FIBA World Cup qualifying game earlier this month, Terrence Romeo has found himself involved in another on Thursday morning.

Police brought in Romeo, a member of the TNT KaTropa in the Philippine Basketball Association, for questioning after an altercation at a bar in Quezon City.

In video from radio dzBB, Romeo could be seen engaging a woman in a verbal joust. The short clip failed to show what occurred shortly before that.

Grupo ng Gilas Player na si Terrence Romeo nasangkot sa gulo sa tapat ng bar sa Morato Ave. QC kaninang umaga. Pansamantalang pinigil sa QCPD Station 10 pero pinakawalan din dahil sa hindi maituro ng nasapak na biktima @dzbb pic.twitter.com/PV3Vb2HDQy

— Allan Gatus (@allangatus) July 11, 2018

No complete details have been made available as of posting time, but in a separate interview made by dzMM, fan Clarissa Cabrera explained that her group was merely asking for a photo with the basketball star when the altercation started.

"Una po, nakapagpa-picture na kami kina Terrence. Pangalawa po, pauwi na kami, nagpapaalam na po kami para magpa-picture ulit. Nagulat na lang po kami may bigla pong sumapak hanggang sa nagkagulo na po," Cabrera said.

A certain Darwin Pilena, who was hurt in the incident, revealed that they've already settled differences with Romeo. The former was due for a medical examination.

The 26-year-old athlete was released from the QCPD Station the same morning.

Sought for comment, Romeo encouraged members of the press to check the establishment’s security footage. The clip has made its rounds on social media since the athlete's release.

He also claimed on Twitter that he "didn't do anything" and there was "no need to make a fuss" about the incident.

"Check niyo nalang po ‘yung CCTV. Tapos pagkatapos niyo pong i-check ‘yung sa Guilly’s, tsaka niyo po ako balikan,” he said.

The supposed footage that circulated on social media shows Romeo seated at the bar when an unidentified man approaches and tries to grab him. Romeo then pulls back in apparent resistance. Others quickly step in to prevent the man from approaching Romeo, sparking a skirmish. As this happens, Romeo is seen remaining on the sidelines.

CCTV Footage of @tbvromeo showing he was assaulted and DID NOT initiate any fight nor did he reciprocate. (Terrence is the one wearing a hoodie) it was a fan who retaliated. pic.twitter.com/Wq3DogqYQl

— Mang Tomas (@MangTomas19) July 12, 2018

Romeo and the KaTropa were coming from a loss on Wednesday night. They got the boot from the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in the hands of defending conference champions San Miguel Beer.