Missing Link: Romeo’s Absence in Gilas Guarantees Adverse Effects but not Losses

Next to ‘The Blur’ Jayson Castro Williams, Gilas’ best point guard would be the Batang Pier’s Terrence Romeo who already marked his name in the hearts of FIBA universe with his ultimate offensive power and the show he provides with his fancy crossovers.

Who can ever forget Terrence Romeo making a 7-footer Chinese dance and then shoot over such a huge beast from the outside. His 22-point performance in one quarter against the South Koreans and every single amazing plays Romeo has dished out that made a throng of Filipinos inside the arena and the millions in front of their TV screens be proud to say that they are Filipinos.

Romeo, with no doubt, provides a huge extra boost for the Gilas and with him gone due to an injury, it will surely affect the team performance significantly.

Player Rotation

Of course this would be the first one to be affected. Jayson Castro’s going to spend more time on the court, making it very exhausting for the veteran. With him carrying the ball to the other side against a tough full court press every single possession, it will be a huge burden for the blur in crossing the ball to the halfway mark alone. Romeo and Jayson sometimes play at the same time on the court helping out each other to catch their breath but right now he is all alone in playing the play making position.

Who shall step up?

Well, the answer is too simple – the other small guys like Pogoy and Ravena but it is not as though in a snap, they can play the Romeo level of performance. This explains why Pogoy was given a lot of playing time, the coaching staff trusts him to fill the gap left by Romeo.

Hype provider?

Without Romeo doing some show on the floor which may indirectly boost the team’s morale every time he hits the ball in an extraordinary way, it will somehow downgrade the offensive power of the team. So who must suffice? Someone must light up the offense the way Terrence does.

Conclusion

Terrence Romeo being unsuccessful in joining the Gilas Pilipinas for this World Cup qualifier dramatically impacted the team – offensively. The pace, the intensity and player movement but still we have the core of the defense in the interior. The Kraken June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar and Andrei Blatche takes cover of everything under the rim.