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| As it stands, Ismael Romero is staying with Meralco for the PBA Commissioner's Cup, but coach Luigi Trillo hopes he apologizes to Nick Demusis. Peter Baltazar |
QUEZON CITY—Unless the Games and Amusements Board steps in and drops the hammer on the Puerto Rico international, Ismael Romero will likely stay with Meralco for the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
Head coach Luigi Trillo said on Wednesday night that active consultant Nenad Vucinic handpicked the bruising big man for the team ahead of both the upcoming conference and the EASL.
However, Romero, who signed a short-term deal with Al-Ahli Tripoli for the Dubai International Basketball Championship while waiting for the Bolts' next EASL game, was embroiled in a heated moment when he kicked Zamboanga Valientes player Nick Demusis out of frustration during their match.
Addressing the situation for the first time, Trillo said that Romero needs to take responsibility for the said unsportsmanlike gesture.
"I think he has to answer the press if he has the chance, magpakumbaba nang konti, and apologize," Trillo said, adding that it was the first time Romero, normally one of the "cooler heads", fumed.
However, Romero, despite Meralco falling behind big and eventually losing to Ryukyu during their EASL game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, remained calm and collected all match long.
"He showed that he's able to keep his composure and fight," Trillo further said.
Romero led the Bolts with 24 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 35 and a half minutes of action.
Trillo also believes Romero and Demusis, whom he revealed once tried out for them, should meet very soon and reconcile.
"Ang maganda doon, makipag-areglo siya, get a chance to meet the person personally, and say sorry, and if he needs to man up with that, that will make him a better person," Trillo further said.
He also said that he expected the possible GAB intervention and is aware that penalties could await Romero, which include suspension of his pro license that would force Meralco to find another import.
"It's up in the air. He'll have to face a sanction if there is. I know that it's not a FIBA-sanctioned league, it happened away, and it's not with Meralco. But now that he's part of our family, he has to carry himself," Trillo continued.
He also hopes Romero gets a second chance at getting respected by Filipino fans despite the violent act, and based on how he willed Meralco in the fourth quarter and came close to completing a comeback from 20 points down, the team's fans are already liking him with their loud cheers.
It is a good start to Romero's redemption arc.
