FEU's Romeo skips final season, joins PBA draft

Count Far Eastern U star Terrence Romeo among the hopefuls in this year's PBA rookie draft.

In a sudden turn of events, the prolific 5-foot-10 guard, the reigning UAAP MVP, decided to forego his final year as a Tamaraw as he submitted his application at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City Friday afternoon, barely two hours before the deadline.

Rumors were rife on Friday morning that the high-scoring guard, who led the UAAP in scoring this past season, was seriously considering throwing his hat into the draft, even though he had said earlier this month that he wanted to suit up for the national team in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.

PBA Media Bureau Chief Willie Marcial, in a text message to Yahoo Philippines, confirmed that Romeo had indeed applied for the draft.

"Yes," was Marcial's simple reply via SMS.

A source told Yahoo Philippines that Romeo had decided on turning pro as early as Wednesday.

Also making themselves available are Ateneo forward Ryan Buenafe, the 2010 Finals MVP, and fellow Blue Eagle and center Poi Erram.

Romeo's entry, however, came as a big surprise and certainly adds more depth to an already talent-laden cast led by big men Greg Slaughterr of Ateneo, San Sebastian's Ian Sangalang and lanky Raymond Almazan of Letran.

Also in the mix are Romeo's teammate RR Garcia, Jeric Teng of University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo's Nico Salva and Justin Chua, among others.

The rookie draft is set on Nov.3 at the Robinsons Place Manila.