THREE years after, Romeo Travis finally gets a chance to redeem himself.
The Magnolia import acknowledged being disappointed following a rather forgettable first finals stint in the PBA during the 2015 Governors Cup while still with Alaska.
Now that he’s back for another shot at a championship, Travis is definitely looking for a happy ending this time.
“Redemption, that’s why I came back,” said the 33-year-old Akron, Ohio native after earning a return stint to the finals as the Hotshots slammed the door on Barangay Ginebra’s bid for a third straight crown in the season-ending conference by beating the Kings in their best-of-five semifinals, 3-1.
Travis did the same thing for the Aces in the same tournament three seasons ago, but failed to steer the team to the Promised Land as AZ Reid and the San Miguel Beermen swept them in four games during the title series.
It was in the same tournament when LeBron James’ former high school teammate at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School also ended up being the Best Import awardee.
But it would have been doubly rewarding had Travis played according to his potential back then.
“Last time I was here I laid an egg,” he noted. “I played very bad the last time I was here in the finals.”
When the call from Magnolia came, Travis just took one look at the Hotshots’ roster and easily liked what he saw.
“I look at the team’s roster and see that they had good veterans, hungry young guys. It was a great mix,” he noted. “With me, it’s just an opportunity to gel with the team.”
Besides, Travis says he’s really more of a team-oriented team, which is why he and the Hotshots have been playing beautiful music together.
“I don’t want to take over a team, that’s not ever my goal. I just want to be a part of a team. And these guys have allowed me to be a part of the team, and that is what’s making this team special, our chemistry,” said the import.
“They know that I’m not a guy who’s going to demand the ball or curses somebody when I’m open and I don’t get the ball. That’s’ not who I am as a person and that’s not who I am as a player.”
With Travis being a good influence to the Hotshots, it was no surprise they were able to reach the finals again for the second time in the last three conferences.
“It’s rubbing off on everybody, the unselfishness, the togetherness, and everything else. We’re one unit right now and we’re really clicking,” he said.
Hopefully, it finally translates to where Travis failed the last time.
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