Terrence Romeo gives instructions to the Lady Gymers.
When the PSP Lady Gymers hit the court for the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, they weren’t just testing their own skills—they were testing a coaching staff packed with heavy hitters.
With PBA stars Terrence Romeo, CJ Perez, Arvin Tolentino, and Vic Manuel all taking charge from the sidelines, PSP came in with plenty of star power. And while they suffered a narrow 73-70 loss to the Imus Lady Magdalo on Sunday, the Lady Gymers proved they can hold their own on the hardwood.
The squad features big names, like former UAAP Mythical Team member Sai Larrosa from UST and ex-Ateneo players Nic Cancio and Cara Buendia. But it was former NU Lady Bulldog Jeeuel Bartolo who took center stage, lighting up the scoreboard with a game-high 18 points, including four three-pointers.
Assistant coach Trim Pante isn’t worried about the tight loss. “Of course, first game pa lang. We’ve got a solid coaching staff, but we still need adjustments,” he said, recognizing the newness of the team and the learning curve ahead.
Pante also credited the PBA coaching squad—Romeo, Perez, Tolentino, and Manuel—for their guidance. “The PBA coaches are always giving advice to the young players. Hopefully, next game, we’ll get that win,” he added.
After the game, the coaching staff kept the mood upbeat, reminding the Lady Gymers to stay focused and trust their game plan as they gear up for their next match.
Balancing their duties as active PBA players and coaches in the WMPBL isn’t a walk in the park. With tight schedules, PSP’s practices often take place at night to accommodate their packed calendars. But despite the juggling act, Romeo and his fellow PBA stars are determined to leave a lasting impact on women’s basketball in the Philippines—guiding the next generation of talent while keeping the game exciting.