BEAU Belga had no regrets taking a potential game-winner for Rain or Shine in its 105-103 victory over Alaska in Game Two of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday night.
Unexpectedly positioned at the left corner, the Elasto Painters stretch big man received a kick-out pass from Paul Lee in the team’s final offensive possession and took a three-point attempt that went a bit strong, but fortunately fell into the hands of his passer, who knocked down the game-winner instead.
“We put two shooters at the corner, supposed to be si Jeff (Chan) at si Paul, pero inagaw ni Beau yung isang corner eh,” coach Yeng Guiao admitted, explaining the team's final play. “Feeling shooter siya, inagaw nya. That was supposed to be, I think, Paul's corner or Jeff's corner.”
“Anyway, it wasn't the play but it turned out the winning play for us,” he added.
But Belga would take the shot again if the opportunity presented itself in this stage of the tournament.
“Pag libre ako, wala na akong pakialam,” Belga admitted. “Iba na ‘to, finals na ‘to, ‘di ka pwedeng maging mapagbigay. Magalit na kayo sa akin, titira ako. yun yung mentality ko.”
After all, Belga knows he has the license to shoot, proving it with back-to-back triples in the third quarter.
“Sa amin naman, kahit hindi para sa’yo, kapag sayo bumagsak yung bola, kailangan mo itira, and accidentally sa akin napasa ni Paul so sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘akin 'to, ako titira,’” the former Philippine Christian University stalwart said. “Good thing napunta kay Paul and siya pa rin ang tumapos so para sa kanya pa rin.”
“Parang sinet-up ko pa rin si Paul,” he added with a smile.