GILAS NEEDS ENFORCER LIKE BELGA
Rain or Shine team co-owner Raymund Yu believes Beau Belga can be Gilas Pilipinas’ blue collar player.
The amiable Asian Coatings franchise big boss has long been egging for the inclusion of Belga to the national team, long before his burly 6-6 forward was given an invitation by coach Chot Reyes.
“Matagal ko na talagang naiisip na pwede si Beau dyan. Kasi very versatile si Belga saka mataas ang basketball IQ nyan,” Yu told pba.ph.
“Saka ang maganda kay Belga, kayang gawin niyan ang mga ibang bagay. Hindi siya i-score ng marami, pero mayroon siyang gagawin na hindi gagawin nung iba,” added Yu, who alongside coach Yeng Guiao, is behind the rebuilding of the now formidable Rain or Shine squad.
The former Philippine Christian University Dolphin has been an underrated big man in the PBA.
But Yu insisted that Belga has shown tremendous improvement in the last 3 conferences, emerging as one of the most consistent among the Elasto Painters.
The statement of Yu was supported by former PBA star and national team enforcer Dante Gonzalgo.
Speaking from his province in Sorsogon, Gonzalgo declared that Belga’s knack for getting the goat of opposing players will be a big factor in the Philippines’ campaign in the FIBA Asia championships.
“Kilala naman natin si Belga eh. Pisikal yun. Tiyak ko may mapipikong foreigner. Kaso ano magagawa nila? Magkakaroon ng suporta ng tao si Beau, dito ang laban eh,” said Gonzalgo.
“At saka ang maganda kay Beau, maliksi. Kayang gawin lahat opensa, depensa. May shooting pa sa labas,” added the former Anejo Rhum star.
Gonzalgo, however, has one advice to his fellow Bicolano cager: “Kailangan lang magpapayat siya. Masyado siyang malaki.”
Belga is still awaiting for the release of his Lithuanian visa, after which he is expected to fly to the Baltic State within this week to join the Gilas Pilipinas squad for training camp. (SBadua)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
