SMB sends Romeo to Terrafirma

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer added fresh legs ahead of its title defense in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, acquiring Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig from Terrafirma.

The Beermen shipped veterans Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel to the Dyip in return in a trade deal approved by the pro league yesterday.

Romeo described the development as perhaps one of the “saddest moments” in his career, then thanked SMC for the fruitful stint, and then Terrafirma for welcoming him.

At the same time, Ginebre beefed up its own frontline with the acquisition of free agent Troy Rosario formerly of TNT and Blackwater. 

In Tiongson, 33, the multi-titled franchise found another sweet-shooting guard from long range who can form a lethal tandem with three-point king Marcio Lassiter. Tiongson is coming off a hamstring injury that limited his stint with the Dyip to four games in the recent Governors’ Cup, where he averaged 9.5 points with a 26.67 clip from three-point territory to go with 3 assists.

The 6-foot-5 Cahilig, who is also 33, offers his defensive skills and hustle plays to an SMB squad raring to bring its winning ways back after losing the Philippine Cup crown to Meralco last season and failing to get past the semis of the recent Governors’ Cup.

Meanwhile, Romeo, 32, and Manuel, 37, may get their second wind at Terrafirma after bouts  spending the previous conference as off-the-bench players for San Miguel and battling injuries.