MANILA: There was so much hype surrounding Travis Romeo, the Alaska import, who played high school ball together with the great Lebron James.

As things turned out on Tuesday night, with the Aces hardly pressed by newcomer Blackwater, Romeo still remains to be a secret as far as the rest of the field in the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup is concerned.

Romeo scored 18 points and had 12 rebounds in playing just 28 minutes as Alaska got everyone else contributing in an easy 106-80 victory over the Elite that kicked off the Aces’ bid on a rip-roaring note at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Alaska coach Alex Compton had the luxury of playing Romeo for just over 28 minutes and keeping him fresh for the next game — and the next opponent guessing on what his strong points are.

Romeo made the most out of the short time he was on the floor, missing just four of 11 shots, while issuing two assists, making two steals and blocking one shot against just one turnover that made his debut quite impressive despite the small numbers.

“He’s solid, he’s smart,” Compton said of his import, who played alongside James at St. Vincent’s in Akron, Ohio. “He’s the perfect team player, the type of guy who always makes the right decisions.”

Chris Banchero and JV Casio, who alternate at the point for the Aces, tossed in 13 apiece with Cyrus Baguio shooting 12.

In fact, Compton was able to rest his local nucleus, with Calvin Abueva playing just 12 minutes and scoring nine points. Banchero and Casio played just a combined 42, while Baguio was on the floor for less than 18 minutes.

Compton had the luxury of letting his shock troopers finish the game and Blackwater still couldn’t do anything about it.

After dragging Alaska into a close game in the first six minutes, the Elite simply couldn’t keep in step, trailing by 14 at the half and by 35 near the end of the third period, 81-46.

The victory showed the true potential of the Aces, who are tagged as favorites every tournament because of the balance they have in their roster.

Marcus Douthit paced the Elite with 28 points, scoring 12 of his total in the second period.

But he was the only one who played according to form for the rookie squad, which, like Alaska, did not tap an Asian import every team has the option of doing.

Only Bam-Bam Gamalinda finished in twin digits for the Elite after Douthit, scoring 10.

Globalport also got off to an impressive start, bringing down Meralco, 92-73, in the second game.

Terrence Romeo scattered 27 points that went with seven rebounds and five assists and the Globalport imports Omar Krayem and Patrick O’Bryant combined for monster numbers that proved too much for the Bolts to handle.

Meralco unveiled an impressive import in Andre Emmet but its local lineup could ony score 32 points.

The Bolts’ Asian reinforcement, Banil Koochoie, watched helplessly from the sidelines after failing to secure his clearance from the Iran Super League. Emmet scored 31 points and had 13 rebounds and five assists.

O’Bryant, the 7-footer who saw NBA action for three teams, scored 15 points and had 23 rebounds, while Krayem fired 18 that went with 8 boards. The duo also combined for nine assists.

Globalport won a conference-opening game for the first time in the history of its PBA franchise and marked the successful return to coaching of Pido Jarencio.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer, after missing the playoffs in the Commissioner’s Cup, debuts against KIA Motors on Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The Carnival, who won four games and almost made it past the eliminations in the last conference, will still be without playing coach Manny Pacquiao, who is expected to plane in from the United States on Friday after losing via unanimous decision to flamboyant American Floyd Mayweather last Sunday.

That game is slated at 7 p.m. right after NLEX and Barako Bull also make their debuts in the 4:15 p.m. contest.