Vintage Terrence Romeo game for naught as Valientes fade in OT

January 27 ------ DESPITE a gallant stand and a vintage performance from Terrence Romeo, the MLV-Zamboanga Valientes absorbed a heartbreaking 90-92 overtime loss to Syria’s Al Karamah in the 2026 Dubai International Basketball Invitational.

Trailing since the middle of the first quarter, the Valientes relied on the 33-year-old Romeo to bring them back into the game with crucial baskets in the dying minutes of regulation that knotted the score at 82-all, leading to extra time.

The former PBA scoring champion continued his assault in overtime, teaming up with Vic Manuel and Gilas prospect Malik Diouf to keep the Syrians in sight until a buzzer-beater by Keven Eloy sealed the win for Al Karamah. Missed opportunities plagued the Filipino squad on the dying minutes of the game. While the Syrians had a grand time on the free throw line with 41 attempts, making 32, the Valientes went 17 for 26 from the charity stripe.

Diouf missed four critical free throws that shifted the momentum, while the Valientes were outrebounded 43-23 despite a tall frontline that boasts 7-foot-6 Sam Deguara, Anthony Bennett and seven-foot Greg Slaughter, who was used sparingly. Romeo finished with 18 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals, supported by former NBA top pick Bennett with 16 points, and Deguara, who chipped in 14 points before fouling out in the fiinal quarteir.

Source: spin.ph