Longtime teammates Terrence Romeo, RR Garcia now rivals on the court

For the first time in the PBA, longtime teammates RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo faced each other on the court when Barako Bull Energy and Globalport Batang Pier clashed on Sunday.

The two cagers had played together for Far Eastern University in the UAAP before getting drafted by GlobalPort, where they remained backcourt mates last year.

"S'yempre, professional naman kami, hindi naman habambuhay magkakampi kami," said Garcia, who was traded to Barako for Keith Jensen last June that caused the back court duo to go their separate ways.

"'Di natin maiwasan 'yun e. Siguro challenge sa aming dalawa 'yun," he added.

Romeo, who was limited to nine points by Garcia's defense after scoring 33 in his first game of the season NLEX, was all praises for his former teammate.

"'Di ako makaporma kay RR, sobrang kabisado niya 'yung galaw ko. Iba talaga 'yun, magaling magdepensa talaga si RR," he said.

"Sobrang hirap bantayan, napakautak maglaro. Napagaling sa pick and roll, tapos magaling siya mag-setup ng teammates niya."

Garcia, who finished with 12 points, also admitted having a hard time guarding his fellow Tamaraw, but he said he was familiar with Romeo's game after playing alongside him for years.

"Sa daming galaw ni Terrence mahihirapan ka talaga," Garcia said. "Sa ibang moves niya, s'yempre alam ko na. Nakikita ko rin kung ano 'yung weakness nung bawat isa sa amin."

Romeo had the last laugh as GlobalPort fashioned out a 91-81 win. Garcia, meanwhile, was quick to note that the rivalry stays only inside the court.

"S'yempre sa loob ng court, walang bigayan. Pagdating sa labas, magkaibigan naman." — JST, GMA News