By WAYLON GALVEZ

For someone used to winning, Mikee Romero has set a modest target for Burger King in the coming PBA Fiesta Cup.

"Mapasok lang kami ng semis this season, it would be a good start already for the team," said Romero during the PSA Sports Forum yesterday at Shakey’s Restaurant on UN Avenue.

Romero built a dynasty in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) with his Harbour Centre squad that won six straight championships.

Now co-owner of the Titans, Romero said duplicating Harbour’s feat in the PBA would be close to impossible.

"Six-peat is something beyond our control and expectations," Romero said. "In reality, sa PBA, maybe ‘yung six-peat, or maybe just back-to-back, or one (title), mahihirapan. But isa lang ipapangako namin, papahirapan namin lahat ng kalaban."

Romero said he expects the Titans to reach the finals in two years’ time.

"We have a two-year program sa PBA," Romero said. "Next season, where we have three first round picks, which would augment the team, ibang usapan na ‘yun. Then we’ll be a championship contender."

Romero said the Titans lack ceiling.

"We’re still in search for big men (now), four and five (positions), kung maka-kuha pa kami mas maganda for the team," Romero said.

"We’ll inject a new breed of basketball sa PBA. Siguro ‘yung passion namin and desire to win will always be there. Who knows, it might turn to something good."

Romero has been given blanket authority to manage the team by Air21 top honcho Bert Lina, but is letting Burger King coach Yeng Guiao decide what is good for the team.

"Yeng Guiao has the full authority. We trust him as a coach. Siya talaga ‘yan, background lang kami. Kung ano ang kailangan niya sa management, andyan lang kami," Romero said.

Romero describes his relationship with Guiao as good.

"Kumbaga, nagpapakiramdaman pa kami. But Yeng is a coach that like coach George (Gallent) pababayaan mo lang. Pag napalaban na kami, dun na kami magkakasubukan," he said.

Guiao will be assisted by former Harbour coaches Gallent and Junel Baculi.

Romero said he expects a team full of energy.

"It would be a mixture of Yeng Guiao and Harbour Centre’s Batang Pier type of game, where in tatakbo talaga ng tatakbo ‘yan," Romero said in the forum sponsored by Accel, PAGCOR, Outlast Battery and Shakey’s.

The team has the core of the Air21 that placed second last season in the Fiesta Cup.

Comprising the team are veterans Arwind Santos and Gary David, who were with Air21 that played against Ginebra in the finals last season, as well as Cyrus Baguio, who joined them near the end of the previous Philippine Cup.

The BK Titans, reinforced by import Shawn Daniels, will play the Sta. Lucia Realtors at the start of the PBA Fiesta Cup on Feb. 28 in Dumaguete City.

With Romero setting his focus in the PBA, younger brother Nikky will take over as team owner of their PBL ball club Prime Estate Realty with Gallent and FEU’s Glenn Capacio as coaches and Albert Tirona as team manager.


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