ILAGAN CITY — In two tune up games which Rain or Shine prevailed, veteran center Beau Belga was gradually inserted by head coach Yeng Guiao — and the notable enforcer announced his return the only way he does .
On his way to make a comeback after being sidelined by Vertigo, Belga made his presence felt and assured everyone he remains to be the tough, fearless competitor after engaging in a shoving match with the equally fiery Anthony Semerad of NLEX.
The Elasto Painters edged the Road Warriors, 120-119, last week and now Rain or Shine tries to continue its winning run in the preseason when it faces Meralco on Saturday night here at the 10,000-seater capacity Capital Arena. This will be the first PBA game to be held in Cagayan Valley in the last 21 years and bringing the game in the Corn Capital of the Philippines will definitely be a total treat for the Ilagueños.
Belga is expected to see action against the Bolts as he is feeling much better compared to the previous months.
“Mayroon na naman akong doctor’s clearance, mga follow up check up na lang,” Belga said. “According to my doctor, it’s OK na naman daw, medyo limited minutes lang muna. Coach Yeng (Guiao) knows it. He’ll take it depending on how I feel. If I feel something, nagpapa-sub ako. But it’s still my call kung OK ako, pero based on the two tune up games that we had, I’m fine, I’m doing well and Coach Yeng has been able to manage my playing time.”
In a previous interview, Guiao mentioned the importance of a veteran presence provided by Belga and explained that he was the team’s missing link in their previous semifinals loss. The seven-time champion coach believes the burly but shifty center will still play a vital role for the squad, both as mentor for the younger big men, and as a player who could still share his veteran smarts.
“Ang laking tulong ng mga veterans. Probably, part of the reason why we’re improving and we’re continuously making progress was because of their leadership,” said Guiao. “We have another guy coming in of their type si Stanley (Pringle), so that would even make our guards or our team in general step up in terms of progress. Yung gradual progress, mapapabilis na.”
“Masaya na ako sa composition ng line up. Ito naman yung lumaban ng semis last time so siguro konting suwerte, sana healthy sila. Mabawasan yung injury or walang injury kung maari lang, pero tingin ko maganda yung chances this conference.”
Guiao sees Belga still playing a bigger role and the veteran big man is ready to step up and use the remaining days to get himself in tip-top condition.
“Hopefully, magtuluy-tuloy. I’m still nervous na andyan lang yung Vertigo eh. It might attack anytime soon, pero dadaanin na lang sa dasal,” added Belga.
According to Belga, he’s become more health conscious following the most challenging experience he has faced his entire career.
“I’ve changed a lot,” said Belga, when asked about how he changed his eating habits. “Especially, when it comes to rice, kasi kinalakihan ko yung kanin. When that thing happened, sobrang laki ng ibinawas ko sa pagkain. More on ulam, less kanin, tapos iwas sa softdrinks, sa matatamis.”
“Ako pa naman, ang naging problema ko before, I have sweet tooth eh. Talagang every single time I eat, after noon I have dessert. For now, iwas muna. Pero sabi naman ng doctor, I can take a little bit of everything, pero not too much.”
Belga admitted he might be at the latter stretch of his career, but clarified he’s not ready to hang his jersey yet. He feels he has an important role to fulfill — and that is to help the Elasto Painters in making another championship run.
The former Philippine Christian University standout is one of only two remaining players who were part of that last Rain or Shine championship team that won the title in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup and Belga wants to take another shot, now that he feels they have the materials to compete.
Rain or Shine has just made probably the biggest acquisition in years from free agency by picking up veteran all-star Pringle, who played for Guaio during the 2018 Asian Games.
“I’m not getting any younger,” added Belga. “I’m trying to be healthy as much as I can. Kasi, hindi pa ako ready mag-retire. Two years, papakiramdaman ko yung sarili ko. Bahala na sina Boss. I’ll give myself two years and see what happens. If they still want me as a player or part of a coaching staff, it’s their call. I’m still hoping makapirma pa ako.”
“I still feel I still have a lot in my tank. Mayroon pa, hindi pa said, may ibubuga pa. Hindi lang magtuturo, maglalaro pa rin.”
