IF nothing can stop the Meralco Bolts from hiring controversial Ismael Romero as import, then the PBA team better brace for consequences.
Rain or Shine bruiser Beau Belga warned nothing can stop teams, the Elasto Painters included, from testing the temper of the controversial 34-year old Puerto Rican once the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup gets going.
“Kitang-kita naman na mabilis mag snap 'yung Romero, so sa amin, advantage 'yan. Susubukan talaga namin yan kung hanggang saan siya,” said Belga.
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Being a former teammate of Nick Demusis, Belga said he and other Elasto Painters felt bad to see the Fil-Am forward come under attack from the Meralco import while playing for the Zamboanga Valientes during a Dubai invitational.
“Syempre, kakampi namin dati si Nick. Kahit naman kayo, mararamdaman nyo 'yung galit kung nakita nyo na ginanun ang dati n'yong kakampi at kaibigan,” he said.
Returning from a long layoff due to a chronic vertigo, Belga said he's looking forward to defending Romero.
“Gusto ko ako dedepensa dyan para masubukan natin hanggang saan siya sa pisikalan,” said Belga, reiterating concerns aired by Yeng Guiao and Tim Cone of potential problems that may arise once Romero gets the green light to play.
“Paninsin mo, ngayon kasi uso na sa mga teams sa PBA na umiiwas kumuha ng import na may toyo, kasi nga nagiging sakit ng ulo nila. Kaya ako di magugulat kung ipipilit yan ng Meralco tapos maya’t maya ma-e-eject,” he said.
“Pag napikon mo si Romero, eh mukhang mabilis nga talaga mag-snap, mawawalan ng import ang Meralco, advantage na agad 'yun sa kalaban,” he said.
Asked if he is not afraid to bang bodies with the 6-foot-9, 220-pounder, Belga shook his head.
“Ang dami ko nang nakalaban na mas may topak pa dyan. Di naman tayo takot, basta basketball at pisikalan lang. Di naman aabot sa punto na magsusuntukan talaga kasi iba na yun. Di papayagan ng PBA yun,” he said.
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“Hindi ako nakikipag away kahit nung bata ako. Mabait ako (laughed). Sa basketball court lang pero hanggang dun lang yun. Syempre, tayo naman papalag hangga’t kaya natin pero hanggang dun lang yun,” the 39-year-old ROS forward.
Meanwhile, Belga also shared a recent chat with Demusis during the retirement party of their former team captain Gabe Norwood last week.
“Oo, tinanong ko nga siya kung masakit yung sipa sa kanya, sabi ni Nick oo daw. Kaya nga daw di siya nakalaro sa last game ng Valientes, kasi yung braso nya maga sa pagsalo sa sipa,” he said.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanya, kung di mabilis ang reflexes n'ya, malamang napuruhan siya nun sa ulo, todo ang sipa eh. Iiling-iling lang si Nick. Pero yung totoo, mali talaga yun. Hindi na part ng basketball yung ginawa nya,” he said.
Asked what he wants to see from Romero, Belga replied: "Ang akin lang sana, magpakita muna siya ng remorse, mag-sorry na rin siya kay Nick. Hindi naman mahirap gawin yun. Kaso up to now, wala,” he said.
“Kasi kung magpapakita ng ganyang pagka arogante ang player tapos kakalingain pa natin, mali yun. Baka palihim, tinatawanan pa n'ya tayong mga Pilipino,” Belga added.
And what about the next meeting between Rain or Shine and Meralco?
“Exciting yung laro na yun,” said Belga.
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