BEAU Belga did double duty on Sunday, and it’s not only related to playing basketball.
Several hours before he played for Rain or Shine in its opening game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center, Belga did TV work in the NCAA Season 100 as analyst in GMA’s broadcast of the finals series between Mapua and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Belga said he wanted to do a finals game, and his only chance to do so was last Sunday. His TV duty on that day, of course, had the blessing of Rain or Shine.
“Gusto ko siyang tanggihan,” said Belga.
“Pero I want to try ‘yung experience of being an analyst in the finals. Hindi ko pa naeexperience. Even if we had a game, tinry ko pa rin. Okay naman. Naging magandang experience.”
READ: Red-hot Escamis shoots Mapua over Benilde in NCAA Game One
Belga has deep roots in the NCAA, playing for Philippine Christian University during the mid-2000s along with TNT veteran Jayson Castro before being drafted by Purefoods at No. 7 in 2008.
Being one the proud products of the NCAA, Belga was chosen to become part of the TV panel since GMA obtained the broadcast rights in 2022.
Belga said he accepted the duty with the NCAA finals being at 2 p.m. in Cubao, Quezon City and his PBA game at 7:30 p.m. in Antipolo City.
“I was really eyeing for it. Sabi ko nga sa mga nagma-manage, puwede ako Game Two. Pero meron na silang napili. Sabi ko, in case wala talaga, I can. In-ano ko naman sa oras eh. Kung babanga talaga sa oras na hindi ako aabot sa laro, hindi ko ‘yun iko-compromise,” said Belga.
Belga said he is enjoying his broadcasting career, which he intends to continue after his playing career.
The 38-year-old Belga said even Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, himself a TV analyst even today during the PBA finals coverage, encouraged him and his players to venture into other careers.
“So far, I’m enjoying it. Doon din naman ang bagsak eh. Either an assistant, an analyst, doon din ang bagsak. Wala namang ibang babagsakan ‘yung mga career naming mga player," he shared.
“‘Yun din ang sabi sa amin ni coach, you need to do something na aside from basketball. Kapag nag-retire kami, wala kaming mga negosyo or whatever, at least meron kang iba."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
