The PBA has a way of letting stars fade out without a formal goodbye, but the current situation surrounding Terrence Romeo feels different. Recently, veteran insider Snow Badua dropped a bombshell on social media, revealing that "The Bro" is reportedly open to playing for the Abra Solid North Weavers in the MPBL.
More alarmingly, Badua noted that Romeo is part of a group that is "silently banned" from the PBA for "illogical reasons." Despite his recent trade to Terrafirma Dyip late in 2024, Romeo has barely seen the floor in 2025 and 2026, leading many to wonder if one of the greatest two-way guards in Philippine history is being pushed out of the league.
Analyzing the "Silent Ban": The Three Possible Motives
If the rumors of a "silent ban" are true, the reasons likely stem from a complicated mix of professional friction and management decisions within the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) umbrella.
#1. Money-Related: The "Best Bet"
In a league with a strict salary cap (and a loosely kept "secret" of over-the-cap bonuses), money is often the root of sudden disappearances.
The High Price of Scoring: Romeo has historically been one of the highest earners in the league. Reports from early 2026 suggest he was earning upwards of ₱34 million during his tenure with the Beermen when bonuses were factored in.
The "Value" Shift: When a player's salary remains at a "superstar" level while their on-court availability drops, management often seeks an exit. If Romeo refused a significant pay cut to stay within the SMC loop, a "silent ban" or a trade to a "distributor" team like Terrafirma is often the precursor to a league exit.
#2. Injury-Related: The "Health Credibility" Issue
Romeo’s career has been a rollercoaster of highlight reels and hospital visits. Since 2020, he has dealt with:
Shoulder dislocations, back spasms, and hyperextended knees.
The "Lies" Theory: There have been whispers in the scouting community that some of Romeo's absences were not as severe as reported, or conversely, that he hid the true extent of chronic issues to secure contract extensions. When management loses trust in a player's medical reporting, they often choose to "shelve" them rather than risk a roster spot on an unreliable asset.
#3. Attitude and Management Friction
Terrence Romeo has never been a "quiet" superstar. His departures from GlobalPort and TNT were marked by friction with coaching staffs and teammates.
The SMC Relationship: While Romeo publicly stated that his exit from SMB in late 2024 was "one of the saddest moments" of his career, insiders suggest the relationship with management bosses had soured. In a corporate-heavy league like the PBA, "attitude" isn't just about locker room chemistry; it's about following the "company line." If Romeo became difficult to manage, even his elite scoring wouldn't be enough to keep him in the rotation.
The MPBL Escape: A Path to Redemption?
Romeo’s willingness to play for the Abra Solid North Weavers suggests he is tired of waiting for a PBA phone call that might never come. By moving to the MPBL, he follows the path of other "silently banned" or "forgotten" stars who used the league to prove they still have gas in the tank.
The Verdict: A Legacy in Limbo
If Terrence Romeo transitions fully to the MPBL, it marks a tragic end to his PBA chapter. He is a three-time scoring champion and a Finals MVP who deserves a proper curtain call. However, if the "silent ban" is indeed about money and trust, the Bro might have to play his way back into the PBA’s good graces from the outside looking in.
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