Romeo raring to team up with Slaughter in Zamboanga Valientes’ Dubai stint

MANILA, Philippines — Terrence Romeo voiced excitement to play with longtime basketball opponent Greg Slaughter, this time for the Zamboanga Valientes in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.

Romeo had numerous battles with the 7-foot behemoth in the past, starting in the collegiate ranks as the guard’s Far Eastern University took on the giant’s Ateneo Blue Eagles.

This continued on in the professional ranks, as they had numerous clashes in the PBA.

Now, they will be on the same side along with other former PBA players in Nick Demusis, Vic Manuel, Rudy Lingganay, Barkley Ebona and Mike Tolomia. Aside from them, former NBA first overall pick Anthony Bennett will also spearhead the team.

During a media day event at a gym in Mandaluyong City Thursday, Romeo is ecstatic with the prospect of teaming up with Slaughter in the international tourney.

“Excited, excited. Never kaming naging teammates ni Greg, lagi kaming magkalaban simula college namin,” he said.

“So excited na makasama siya, mapasahan siya or mag-pick and rool kami. Kahit paano, kahit may edad na kami nung magkasama, good experience pa rin yun para sa amin,” he added.

Romeo, one of the most potent scorers in the UAAP and the PBA during his heyday, last played for the Terrafirma Dyip in the professional league.

Slaughter, on the other hand, played his last PBA game back in 2021 for the NorthPort Batang Pier, before he took his talents to Japan and eventually, the MPBL.

Romeo said that for now, his goal is to just play the sport he loved since he was young.

And while he still wants to play in the PBA, he wants to become fully healthy first.

“Kailangan ko ulit dumaan sa strengthening, kailangan ko ulit maalagaan yung katawan ko. Gusto ko pang maglaro sa pro, sa matataas na level. So hindi naman… yung main goal ko is makapaglaro sa pro, any pro, okay na ako,” he said.

“Siyempre, ayoko naman maglaro sa any tournament na parang palamuti ka lang. Kasi the past two teams ko sa PBA, hindi naman ako ginagamit e. So for me, bakit pa ako maglalaro kung hindi naman din ako maggagamit… Kaya ko pa ring mag-compete.”

But now, Romeo has set his sights on winning with the Valientes, who were not able to win a game in last year’s tournament.

The team flew to Dubai on Thursday.