Who Won the 2013 PBA Rookie of the Year and Where Are They Now?
I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2013 PBA rookie class - it felt like everyone was debating who would take home that coveted Rookie of the Year trophy. That season had this electric energy, with several promising newcomers making their professional debut. The competition was fierce, but when the dust settled, it was Terrence Romeo who emerged victorious, capturing both the Rookie of the Year honors and fans' hearts with his explosive scoring ability. Watching him play back then was pure entertainment - the guy had this incredible knack for creating his own shot, pulling up from anywhere on the court with that smooth jumper of his. What made his achievement even more impressive was beating out other talented rookies like Ian Sangalang and Raymond Almazan, both of whom have carved out solid careers themselves.
Thinking about Romeo's journey reminds me of something I heard from a veteran player that stuck with me: "Hindi naman tayo sasali sa PBA kung ayaw nating manalo." That statement, coming from an eight-time PBA champion, really captures the competitive fire that drives these athletes. They don't just show up to collect a paycheck - they're there to win championships, to leave their mark on the game. Romeo embodied that mentality from day one. I've always admired players who play with that kind of passion, who aren't afraid to take big shots in crucial moments. There's something special about athletes who treat every game like it might be their last, who give everything they have regardless of the scoreboard.
Fast forward to today, and Terrence Romeo's career has been quite the rollercoaster ride. After establishing himself as one of the league's premier scorers with GlobalPort (now NorthPort), he was traded to TNT in 2017, then found his way to the San Miguel Beermen in 2019 where he's been part of championship teams. His scoring numbers have been remarkable - I recall him averaging around 22 points per game during his peak seasons, with multiple 40-point explosions that left defenders shaking their heads. What's impressed me most is how he's evolved his game over the years. Early on, critics labeled him as just a volume shooter, but he's developed into a more complete player who can create for teammates when defenses focus too much on his scoring.
The championship mentality that veteran player talked about - "We hope to maximize whatever we have and try our best to make the playoffs" - really resonates when I look at Romeo's current situation with San Miguel. He's no longer the primary option on a team stacked with stars like June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez, but he's found ways to contribute meaningfully. There were some injury concerns that limited his playing time in recent seasons - I think he missed significant portions of the 2022 season with a hand injury - but when healthy, he remains one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league. It's that adaptability that separates good players from great ones in my book.
Comparing Romeo's path to other members of that 2013 rookie class is fascinating. Ian Sangalang has become a reliable big man for Magnolia, while Raymond Almazan has been a consistent presence in the middle for Rain or Shine and later Meralco. But Romeo's star power and marketability have arguably made him the most recognizable face from that draft class. I've noticed he's built quite the social media presence too, connecting with fans in ways that weren't common for PBA players a decade ago. That off-court presence matters more than people realize - it helps grow the league's popularity beyond traditional basketball circles.
What I find most compelling about tracking where PBA rookies end up years later is seeing how their careers unfold in unexpected ways. Nobody could have predicted that Romeo would win multiple championships with San Miguel when he was drafted by GlobalPort. The league has this way of surprising you - players you expect to become superstars sometimes fade into role players, while others exceed all expectations. Romeo falls somewhere in between - he became the scoring champion we anticipated, but his championship success came through team changes that nobody saw coming back in 2013.
Looking at the bigger picture, Romeo's journey reflects how the PBA landscape has evolved over the past decade. The league has become more guard-oriented, with teams valuing creative scorers like Romeo who can break down defenses. His style of play actually paved the way for other scoring guards to enter the league with confidence that they could succeed. I've always believed that great players don't just put up numbers - they change how the game is played, and Romeo's influence in that department is undeniable. His signature hesitation moves and step-back jumpers have been emulated by countless young players in local courts across the Philippines.
As for where he is now, at 31 years old, Romeo is in that interesting phase of his career where he's no longer the young phenom but still has plenty left in the tank. He's transitioned into being a veteran presence on a championship-contending team, providing scoring punch off the bench or as a starter depending on the matchup. I suspect we'll see him play for several more seasons, though probably with evolving responsibilities as younger talents emerge. What hasn't changed is that competitive fire - you can still see it in his eyes during close games, that determination to help his team win whatever it takes. That championship mentality the veteran spoke about remains as relevant as ever, and Romeo's career stands as testament to what happens when incredible talent meets that unwavering desire to win.
