IT may take some time before veteran Beau Belga get to play again for Rain or Shine.
Although the 38-year-old Belga has been given clearance by doctors to play, the Elasto Painters are taking a more cautious approach as far as his health issue is concerned.
The team has put its long-time center on the Unrestricted Free Agent list (with rights to salary), and then signed former Ateneo big man Kris Porter to add ceiling to its frontcourt.
READ: Kris Porter returns to PBA after being signed by Rain or Shine
“Pinag-pahinga muna ako ni coach Yeng until talagang feel ko na OK na ako na makapaglaro,” Belga disclosed.
The native of Gubat, Sorsogon still showed up in Rain or Shine’s PBA Philippine Cup game against Phoenix Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena.
While in street clothes and wearing eyeglasses for his astigmatism, Belga still joined the Elasto Painters during their warm up by shooting the ball.
“Actually, na-clear naman na ako ng doctor,” added Belga, who nonetheless understood the decision of management to have him rest for a while.
Despite his situation, there’s no question his heart remains on the game.
“Tina-timing ko lang kung hanggang kailan, kung kailan na ako pwede,” Belga said. “Sabi naman ni coach, ‘wag madaliin.’ Pinakikiramdaman ko lang.”
Belga, who was earlier diagnosed with vertigo felt dizzy and fell on his own late in the second quarter of the team’s game against TNT last week at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
He never returned to the game which the Elasto Painters lost, 111-103, and was later assisted out of the venue by two team staff.
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.
