2026 PBA COMMISSIONER'S CUP | IMPORT WATCH | ISMAEL ROMERO

MERALCO | ISMAEL ROMERO

LISTED | 6’9 – 230LBS  

YEAR OF BIRTH | 1996

COLLEGE | UNIVERSIDAD DEL TURABO (PUERTO RICO)  

NBA DRAFT | 2013 | UNDRAFTED

NBA G-LEAGUE | GRAND RAPIDS

PH EXPERIENCE | MERALCO BOLTS

ASIA EXPERIENCE | SUWON KT SONICBOOM (KOREA)

If there is one import other than Bol Bol who is expected to make waves in his debut game, it has to be Ismael Romero.

First of all, the guy knows his basketball. He can dominate inside the paint, and I get why Nenad Vucinic is hell-bent on signing him despite his baggage. In fact, during the same February–March FIBA World Cup qualifier window, Romero scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 21 minutes to lead Puerto Rico over the Bahamas, 71–66.

One of his teammates in that game, Chris Ortiz, finished with 12 points and was also once a Blackwater import.

He is also attuned to the workings of Philippine basketball, as he was one of the many imports Meralco used in the EASL. Despite the presence of Justin Brownlee, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Cady Lalanne, Ange Kouame, and Asian import Sina Vahedi, it was Romero who led the charge with averages of 22 points and 16 rebounds. This means he is also familiar with his teammates’ games, and he knows some of the tendencies of other imports. Aside from his EASL teammates, he has faced Sam Deguara and Tony Mitchell, as well as several players who have competed in the KBL.

So yeah, his skills, chemistry with his teammates, and familiarity with the Philippine style of play are the attributes he’ll bring to the Bolts this Commissioner’s Cup.

And then there’s the controversy.

If there’s one game people will flock to see, it’s the March 27 matchup between the Bolts and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Judging from the events at the Dubai International Basketball Tournament, you can expect some players to have the green light to test the patience of the fiery import.

So let’s just say the PBA enforcers, especially those from Rain or Shine, will try to physical their way into getting under his skin. The hot-headed Cuban-Puerto Rican will need to keep his temper in check because that is his weakness. Since PBA teams rely heavily on one import—who usually takes the bulk of the shots and possessions—he has to expect opponents to do everything they can to rattle him. He hasn’t even played in the league yet, and he already has a reprimand. He has to brace for the worst from opponents who will stop at nothing to get into his head.

And sorry to say, he’ll have to endure not just physical play, but the trash talk as well. The fans will also taunt him relentlessly. Pinoys are insanely creative when it comes to annoying opponents. It could be a Mick Pennisi–style “system fail” crash to the mat or a Mark Yee–type butt move. It could be saying the nastiest things imaginable or even something random like, “I have a crush on you,” just to throw him off. Heck, former Puerto Rico national team alum Renaldo Balkman had to reform his ways to change his image after he infamously choked his teammate, Arwind Santos.

When Romero kicked Nick Demusis with the intent to hurt him, it was evident that he would be a marked man. Again, Meralco needs him to keep his head in the game.

So this is going to be his main problem—but then again, it only becomes a problem if he allows himself to get dragged into it.