Terrence Romeo made his presence felt in Terrafirma's 95-87 win versus Phoenix.
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AFTER fashioning contrasting wins in their opening assignments, either Meralco or Terrafirma should have the same pleasant result when they collide Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
A second straight win would give the victor not only the early lead but also boost its stock in the season-ending tourney.
More so for Meralco, which is actually the defending champion but overshadowed by the Grand Slam aspirations of sister team TNT, which put itself in the enviable position after winning both the Governors and Commissioner's Cups.
For Chris Newsome, who reprised his hero's role in last year's Philippine Cup finale over San Miguel Beer by again sinking the last-second game-winner that gave Meralco a 91-89 squeaker over Converge last Friday, it's all about taking care of the internal business first.
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"We're gonna focus on what we can control and that's ourselves. Whatever narrative that is gonna be out there, that is something we can't control. But we handle what we think and how we interact with one another and I think that's more important than any narrative that's gonna be put out there," said Newsome.
"It's nice to be able to say that we are the defending champs but we also know that target is bigger on our back and that people are actually coming for us this conference."
Terrafirma is itself on the spotlight after reports of the franchise being put up for sale and negotiations have already started with a shipping company.
The Dyip refused to be sidetracked by such reports and kicked off their own campaign with a cruising 95-87 conquest of Phoenix Super LPG earlier Friday.
Staying in the moment is the key for both Terrafirma star guard Terrence Romeo and coach Raymond Tiongco.
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"For me kailangan lang naming mag-focus kung ano 'yung moment namin right now," said Romeo, who keyed the Dyip's surge to as much as a 23-point lead by scattering 14 of his 17 points in the third quarter against the Fuel Masters.
"Nasa moment kami na we're still Terrafirma so kailangan naming ibigay 'yung best namin every game for Terrafirma, then saka na namin iisipin kung ano mangyayari, pag tapos na kami sa moment namin right now," added Romeo.
Tiongco admitted to being shocked when reports of the sale first came out but still urged his players to stay positive. "Gusto rin naming kung mawawala na 'yung Terrafirma at least nasa winning margin din naman. So sinasabi ko sa kanila, we stay positive du'n sa (conference) natin na ito," he related.
"Sabi ko nga sa kanila, sila meron silang contracts, tuloy lang nila. Dapat ibibigay nila 'yung best nila. Kung magpapalit man ng management kailangan pa rin nilang maglaro. Trabaho nila iyon, eh," added Tiongco. "Positive lang approach naming lahat." (NC)
