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.
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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]