MAC BELO vowed to do whatever it takes for him to help Meralco end its championship heartbreaks.
A few hours after the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) approved the Meralco-Blackwater trade on Thursday, the 27-year-old former Far Eastern University gunner told BusinessMirror he would give his best to help his new team win its first PBA title after losing thrice in the championship round.
“It’s very painful to experience when you lose in the championship round especially when you are just a win away of bagging the crown,” said Belo, describing his experience when he was still playing for the Tamaraws in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 77 men’s basketball finals.
Belo was one of those players who experienced that bitter lost after the National University (NU) Bulldogs ended their 60-year title-drought when they routed FEU, 59-75, in a sudden-death Game Three of the finals in October 2014 at the Araneta Coliseum.
He felt the same as the Bolts who finished behind champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in three Governors’ Cup conferences championship rounds in 2016, 2017 and 2020.
“I know how painful it was. I am here to play my best and help them to win a championship,” added Belo, noting he would do his best to immediately adapt to the system of Head Coach Norman Black. “I am thankful to the Blackwater management for treating me like a true member of the family.”
The 6-foot-4 Belo, who averaged 11.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 11 games last bubble Season 45 Philippine Cup, was at his condominium in Libis, Quezon City when he learned that trade was already approved by the league trade committee.
Belo was shipped by the Elite for Meralco’s starting point guard Baser Amer and power forward Bryan Faundo.
He was acquired by Meralco to strengthen its frontline composed of Nonoy Baclao, Cliff Hodge, Raymond Almazan and Reynel Hugnatan.
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