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No hard feelings for FEU coach after Romeo turns pro

Manila, Philippines- FEU head coach Nash Racela talks to his player Terrence Romeo during the matchup between the Far Eastern University (FEU) and Adamson University (AdU) for the UAAP Season 76, held at the Smart Araneta in Quezon City, northeast of Manila on 28 July 2013. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

It may be one big blow for Far Eastern University but men's basketball head coach Nash Racela is not one to derail the childhood dream of Tamaraws gunner Terrence Romeo of making it to the pro league.

"We, in FEU, won't stand in the way of our players who want to make the big jump," stressed Racela, 40, in a phone interview with Yahoo! Philippines Friday afternoon, moments after the 5-foot-11 Romeo submitted his application form for the rookie draft, foregoing his fifth and final year at FEU in the process.

"Yes, may blessing ko naman ' yung decision ni Terrence. Tumawag siya sa akin kagabi," shared the amiable coach.

A native of Cavite, Romeo is coming off a banner performance in the just-concluded UAAP Season 76 men's cage wars, leading the Tamaraws back to the Final Four while winning the league's MVP title behind his game-averages of 21.67 points-a league-high-on top of 6.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals in 15 solid outings.

Romeo's decision could not have come at a better time since next year's draft will revert back to August and, in case he still opted to play his fifth and final year in the UAAP tourney that usually runs from July to September, he will most likely join the pro league in 2015.

"I think 'yung timing ng pagpapa-draft niya maganda na rin. Kasi kung hindi siya tumuloy, malamang sa 2015 na siya makasali sa PBA. Masyadong matagal 'yun. Besides, he is coming off an MVP-winning performance in the past (UAAP) season," Racela pointed out.

RELATED: FEU's Romeo skips final season, joins PBA draft

Mark Molina, the school's athletic director, also expressed their support and gratitude as well for Romeo, who was also named the league's juniors MVP in 2009 when he carried the colors of the FEU-FERN.

"Terrence has worked so hard to put himself in a position to fulfill his dreams and FEU fully supports his decision. We are thankful to Terrence for the five wonderful years as a Tamaraw and a Baby Tamaraw," said Molina.

Aside from Romeo, former league MVP and another FEU gunner RR Garcia has earlier declared  himself available for the draft set on Nov. 3 at the Robinsons Place Manila.

Although he only had one full year to handle both talented players, Racela believes Garcia and Romeo have what it takes to compete with the big boys.

"RR is a very smart point guard and that's what separates him from the others in the collegiate ranks. On Terrence, people will be surprised how quickly he will be able to adjust and fit to any team in the PBA. Nakita ko na he is playing more mature now at papunta na rin doon sa level na gusto mg mga PBA coaches. It will also not be difficult for him to adjust because he is already equipped with enough skills. That will be his advantage," pointed out Racela, who also serves as one of the assistant coaches of Talk 'N Text.

With Romeo and Garcia now out of the equation, the Tams will surely have a tough work cut out for them in at least duplicating a Final Four finish but Racela is eager to face the daunting task head-on.

"Ganyan naman tayo sa college. Hindi mo mahahawakan ng matagal 'yung mga players. Ang importante maging ready to step forward 'yung mga naiwan at papasok sa team. Hindi man kami magkaroon ng particular star but we will collectively try to fill the void left by Terrence and RR," he noted.

Even Molina is convinced Racela can still "mold a competitive team that FEU will be proud of," with holdovers Mike Tolomia, Mac Belo and Carl Cruz tipped to take turns in taking up the cudgels for the Tams.