Mac Belo starting to assert self with Gilas, presides over close win over Ateneo

Aug 29, 2016

Mac Belo is starting to assert himself with the national team. Dante Peralta

MAC Belo scored 26 points including the crucial baskets in the fourth quarter as Gilas Pilipinas overcame Ateneo, 69-63, on Monday in a tune-up game at the Moro Lorenzo Gym inside the Ateneo campus.

Belo, coming off a championship with Phoenix in the PBA D-League, almost single-handedly enabled Gilas 5.0 to break loose from a 56-56 deadlock, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to give the Nationals the lead for good.

Ed Daquioag finished with 16 points for Gilas including a trey that pushed Gilas to a 67-56 advantage.

[See Josh Reyes on picking Perez over Grey: 'CJ more comfortable playing point guard']

Gilas 5.0, preparing for the Fiba Asia Challenge Cup, was coming off an 84-all draw with Far Eastern University on Sunday. The Nationals also beat the Tamaraws in their first tune-up match.

Thirdy Ravena scored 15 points to lead Ateneo.

[See Late Tolomia trey spares Gilas blushes in tuneup draw with FEU]