From ‘basketbrawl’ to bar brawl: But Romeo says he didn’t throw a punch

NO HARM, NO FOUL Terrence Romeo leaves with a grin after facing investigators at the QCPD’s Kamuning station regarding Thursday’s bar fight. —JAM STA ROSA

Days after being involved in a “basketbrawl” against Australian opponents, professional basketball player Terrence Romeo found himself being dragged into another fight—this time at a Quezon City bar.

But shortly after undergoing a police investigation, the Gilas national team and TNT KaTropa star denied involvement in the fisticuffs and stressed that the matter was quickly settled amicably between those who threw the punches.

According to the Quezon City Police District, a fight broke out at Guilly’s bar on Tomas Morato, Barangay South Triangle, around 4:30 a.m. Thursday after a man who was trying to have his picture taken with Romeo was punched from behind.

A report by Supt. Louise Tremor of the QCPD’s Kamuning station said one of Romeo’s companions, a man in a blue shirt who was not identified, hit Darwin Peleña for reasons still unclear. Pelena, a driver, was then with his relatives when he approached Romeo for a photo op.

“[For] no apparent reason, a commotion followed and Peleña was punched from behind,” Tremor’s report said. The bar’s bouncers immediately pacified both parties and took Romeo, Peleña, and the man who punched the driver to the police station.

During the investigation, Peleña did not “categorically” accuse Romeo of hurting him but pointed to the player’s companion as his attacker. Both parties eventually agreed not to file any complaint.

Later on Twitter, Romeo maintained that “I didn’t do anything.”

“I am in my house right now. I’m not held up in any prison or station. No need to make a fuss. Watch the CCTV. I believe it’s somewhere on social media right now,” he stressed. “Let the video speak for itself. Anyway both camps are okay naman na (already OK). Goodnight.”