Romeo, Garcia get identical three-year deals from Globalport
Confident that Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia have what it takes to lead the team to greater heights, Globalport inked both former Far Eastern U stars Thursday with three-year deals worth P8.5 million each.
Selected fifth and sixth overall, respectively, in the recent PBA draft, Romeo and Garcia are both expected to receive a monthly salary of P150,000 in their first year, P225,000 on their second and P337,500 in their final year, according to team manager BJ Manalo.
Aiming to make their presence felt further in the pro league’s 39th season starting in the Philippine Cup that unfolds on Nov. 17, the Batang Pier also reached an agreement with rookies Nico Salva, LA Revilla, Jopher Custodio and Justin Chua, who–along with southpaw wingman Leo Najorda–was acquired from San Mig Coffee last Tuesday in exchange for center Isaac Holstein.
Globalport also got another boost upfront with the acquisition of veteran center Eric Menk from Barangay Ginebra for third-string slotman Bryan Faundo, a deal that was approved by commissioner Chito Salud.
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The 6-foot-6 Menk, now 39, was signed for a one-year deal and nobody was happier among the Batang Pier officials than owner Mikee Romero.
"He will be the stabilizer of this team," said Romero. “Hopefully, his experience and basketball savvy will rub off on his new teammates, particularly the rookies.”
Menk, a former league MVP and a three-time Best Player of the Conference awardee who joined the league in 1999, is tipped to share frontcourt duties with holdovers Jay Washington, Kelly Nabong,, Jondan Salvador, the 6-foot-5 Chua and another key addition Rico Villanueva.
Romeo and Garcia are expected to ease the playmaking load on veteran guard Sol Mercado while providing added firepower along with Jaypee Belencion, Mark Yee and Rudy Lingganay.
"Nabuo rin ang team na gusto ko,” stressed Romero. “We can now play Sol at the 2-spot and we got deeper in the other positions, especially at the point and frontline.”
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine signed rookies Alex Nuyles and Jeric Teng to two-year deals.
Nuyles and Teng, both standing at 6-foot-2, are reportedly set to receive a monthly salary of P150,000 this season.
