BEAU Belga admits he is overwhelmed by the warm response from Filipino basketball fans after he was drafted by national coach Chot Reyes to the Gilas Pilipinas pool.
That's quite a reversal of roles for one of the PBA's ' bad boys.'
“Sobrang saya ko kasi pakiramdam ko parang bida ako ngayon," said the Rain or Shine banger with a wink. "Sanay kasi ako ng laging kontrabida.”
Belga admits he has incurred the ire of most basketball fans with the constant banging and hard fouls he dishes off during games, but at the same time understands that it's all part of the game.
“Kahit papaano siyempre, hindi ko na dinadamdam yung pangungutya ng fans ng kalaban namin sa Rain or Shine, atleast kumbaga sa artista effective akong kontrabida,” he said while playfully comparing the members of the Gilas pool to the lead characters in the film The Expendables.
“Saka syempre kasama na sa laro ko yung magalit sa akin yung fans ng opposing team … Kasi ini-inis ko naman kasi talaga yung mga players nila,” Belga added.
And now that he has been receiving positive feedbacks for his dedication to the Gilas job, the Gubat, Sorsogon native vowed to play whatever role to perfection when he dons the national tri-colors.
“Basta gagawin ko ang lahat para makatulong. Kahit kailan naman since naging player ako - kapakanan ng team ang inuuna ko (at) hindi pansarili ko,” said the soft-spoken enforcer.
“Basta kung saan ako ipapasok ni coach, gagawin ko ng higit-higit yung trabaho ko.”
The former Philippine Christian University Dolphin is also heartened by the overwhelming support given not only to him but to the entire Gilas team, which has served as a unifying factor among cage fans.
“Natutuwa nga ako kasi ramdam mo ang unity ng tao. Yung suporta nila sa Gilas. Kaya nga gustong-gusto ko talagang maglaro sa national team,” he said.
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