ANTIPOLO – ‘Magic Bunot’ or ‘Boy Lason’ can be the moniker that fits Beau Belga in Game Three of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals on Sunday.
Belga made two crucial threes to start the fourth quarter, which later become the springboard of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the sudden death showdown for a place in the semifinals.
READ Rain or Shine beats Converge in Game 3, advances to PBA semis
Deon Thompson and Adrian Nocum starred in Rain or Shine’s 112-103 win over Converge after scoring 34 and 25 respectively, but head coach Yeng Guiao also praised Belga for his role in the ballgame.
Belga’s shot came when Thompson was rested to start the fourth and both teams playing an all-Filipino line-up. Those threes were part of a 14-5 run that put the Elasto Painters ahead, 94-82.
“Big three-point shots by Beau Belga,” said Guiao. “In the absence of Deon resting on the bench, that’s really the push, the spark that we needed at that point.”
“I think that’s a crucial point in the game. It’s one of the points in the game where the win was determined. Those guys just stepping in to their role. I think that’s great for us.”
A member of Rain or Shine’s two championship teams, Belga recognizes his role this conference is to give quality minutes with Thompson on the bench.
Belga finished with six points in six minutes of action.
“Alam ko ‘yung role ko sa team this conference. As a reliever, kailangan ko i-maintain kung ano man ‘yung iniwan ni Deon. At times, pag nagkaroon ng tsansang makatira. Kanina, nalibre twice.”
“Nung una, tinira ko lang. Na-shoot. ‘Yung pangalawa, sabi ko, susubok ako uli. Basta alam ko naman na lalaruin ko, three to four minutes, babalik na si Deon. Nakatatak na sa isip ko na ‘yun lang talaga, kaya make the most out of it,” said Belga.
Belga was a reflection of each players in the Rain or Shine squad doing their best in their roles.
“Anton (Asistio) played really well in this series actually. Even in Game One where we lost, he shot the ball well. Even the guys coming off the bench, even Mike Malonzo played quality minutes off the bench.
"We are really happy with the developments and the progress that we are making as a team,” said Guiao.
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