Yeng Guiao fumes at Terrence Romeo for garbage time 3: 'Medyo bastusan ang labas'

Coach Yeng Guiao took offense on a garbage time three from Terrence Romeo. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

DASMARIÑAS—Some late drama ensued in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals between Rain Or Shine and San Miguel on Wednesday night at the Dasmariñas Arena.

Already winning with a seven-point lead and the shotclock turned off, Terrence Romeo decided to take a wide-open three that swished in to up the eventual final margin to 10.

While cooler heads were shaking hands after the game, a fuming Coach Yeng Guiao shouted some words at Romeo, obviously disgusted with the garbage time trey.

The confrontation stems from what is known as an "unwritten rule" in basketball that teams already up big late in the game should just run the clock to zero instead of shooting another attempt unless quotients are in play.

Since it is already the semifinals, there was basically no need indeed for Romeo, who scored a dagger jumper from mid-range in the Beermen's previous possession, to score a late three.

"It's a basic respect. Alam mo naman na San Miguel is a class organization. Alam naman natin na kaibigan namin coaching staff nila at yung mga boss doon. That's just a minimum requirement for respect," Guiao explained why he had to confront Romeo.

"Part of being a class organization is giving due respect sa mas mababa sa iyo."

Guiao implied that he might give Romeo a pass if he is just a kid, but with more than a decade of experience playing in major leagues already in his portfolio dating back to his high school days, the 32-year-old combo guard, according to the feisty gaffer, should have already been reminded several times about the unwritten rule.

"Hindi naman bagong player si Terrence. I'm sure alam nya yun," Guiao further said.

"Nagulat na lang ako na ganun ang nangyari. Medyo bastusan ang labas."

He then said that Romeo deserved the harsh treatment from him for his late three.

"Kung bastusan ba naman ang labanan, ayaw mo namang mambastos, pero pag binabastos ka, alangan namang magpapa-bully ka sa kanila," Guiao added.

The Guiao-Romeo tussle was the only lowlight in what had been an entertaining clash between SMB and ROS.

The game remained tight until the final minute when the Beermen scored much-needed baskets to take a 3-0 lead against the Elasto Painters in their best-of-seven series.

Reporters tried to get Romeo's side of the story, but the Imus native, who played his first PBA game in his home province of Cavite, quickly left the arena after the game.