BEAU Belga refused to put too much weight on his brief match up with fellow big Shawn Umali during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup game between Rain or Shine and Terrafirma on Wednesday night.
The Rain or Shine veteran even wishes the Terrafirma rookie the best in his pro career in the aftermath of the Elasto Painters’ 124-117 win over the Dyip at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“I just wish the guy a better career,” said Belga of Umali. “Bata pa naman yun. E, ako halos pa-retiro na.”
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The two had their moments going up against each other during the game that elicited thrills from the weekday crowd.
One sequence showed the massive, 6-foot-3 Umali posting up against the 39-year-old Belga and scoring on a one-handed scoop shot during the second quarter.
Not to be outdone, Belga quickly answered with an in-your-face three-pointer against Umali in Rain or Shine’s next possession.
Belga ended up with six points on 2-of-3 shooting from three-point range, while adding two rebounds, and two assists in six minutes of play.
Umali, meanwhile, saw action for 11 minutes and went a perfect 2-of-2 from the field to finish with five points.
In a way. Belga saw a younger version of himself in Umali, albeit heavier in weight.
“Mas mataba pa ako dun,” he said, recalling how big he was especially during their ‘Extra Rice’ days with former frontcourt partner JR Quinahan.
“But the good thing with us ni JR, nadadala namin yung katawan namin. Kaya naming i-manage, hindi kami nai-injury kahit mabigat kami. Yun siguro yung naging advantage namin,” said the 6-foot-5 native of Gubat, Sorsogon.
Belga said he hopes Umali can do the same.
“Kasi maraming nagsasabi sa iyo kapag ganun ang katawan mo hindi ka magtatagal sa liga. Sa tingin ko naman napatunayan ko naman yun,” the veteran big man stressed. “I’ve been in the league for 17 years with this type of body and nag-survive naman.”
He added Umali has his own upsides despite his huge weight.
“Ang advantage niya mabigat na siya, hefty siya, plus mabilis siya. He just has to manage kung anuman ang meron ka and make it an advantage and not a disadvantage,” Belga said.
“Hindi ko lang alam kung paano niya i-manage yung katawan niya, how he works out, kung paano mo dalhin yung sarili mo sa professional league kasi yun ang puhunan namin, yung katawan.”
Despite going up against each other and banging bodies, Belga said everything was good between him and Umali, who he already knew from the latter's college days as the Rain or Shine center also did color commentating for the NCAA.
Umali suited up for Lyceum and later, transferred to College of St. Benilde.
“We know each other, kasi nga I’ve been covering him in the NCAA,” said Big Beau. “So we’re OK naman. Wala namang conversations.”
He’s actually even willing to help guide Umali in his young pro career if ever the Terrafirma rookie will seek his advice.
“Anything that will be good for his career, I’ll be happy to help, kasi hindi ko naman puwedeng sarilinin lang yung alam ko. I want to share it to anybody, I want kung sino man yung gustong matuto,” said Belga.
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