MAC Belo wasn't about to use his hurting legs as reason for his sub-par performance in Blackwater's sudden-death game against Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday night.
The highly-touted rookie was walking with a slight limp at the end end of a 103-80 loss at the Smart Araneta Coliseum that ended the Elite's bid to make the playoffs of the season-opening conference.
He finished with just six points on 2-of-12 shooting and with only four rebounds.
The freshman player nursed injuries on both legs likely caused by wear and tear over a busy stretch since last year's rookie draft. But he wasn't about to use it as an excuse for Blackwater's biggest loss of the season.
The former King Tamaraw of Far Eastern University said the injury has been a problem since college and was further aggravated following the team's game against Barangay Ginebra.
"Kaya medyo nagre-recover pa rin," he added. "Kailangan talaga ng strengthening kasi simula pa before drafting wala talaga akong pahinga kaya bugbog talaga yung legs."
"It's not a reason naman kasi mababa yung percentage ko. Talagang hindi ko lang na-shoot yung ibang tira ko."
Belo admitted feeling low over the Elite's failure to make the playoffs in his debut conference.
"Medyo frustrated din kasi hindi kami nakapasok sa playoffs na yun yung hinahangad ng mga boss namin at kami rin," he said.
But like a true warrior, Belo vows to comeback strong the next time.
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