BIG BEAU RELISHES PLAYING VILLAIN …. AND WINNING
How fitting was it that the guy who sealed the deal in Rain or Shine’s emotional 82-79 conquest of Barangay Ginebra Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome would be Beau Belga.
Though it might not show in the stat sheet, the burly big man had the biggest impact in the game, and it seemed just natural that it was him who thwarted Mac Baracael in his last-gasp attempt to force overtime.
Belga only had 11 points and three rebounds in the win, but his presence was felt by the whole Pasay hoophouse, as he played with the Ginebra throng inside the venue and sending the majority of the fans home in a bad mood.
“Kahit na anong mangyari, I just want to play beyond my emotions. Kung ano ang maitutulong ko, yun lang ang gagawin ko. Di ko pinaiiral yung galit ko, laro lang,” said the Sorsogon native.
Belga didn’t shy away from his enthusiasm in filling in as the villain against the crowd favorites, saying, “Tuwang tuwa ako sa ganyan.”
“Yun ang gusto ko, kalaban ko yung buong arena. Yung tipong kalaban ko lahat. Mas challenging. After the game, maraming iiyak, marami akong paiiyakin. At the same time, pag natalo kayo, tanggapin mo,” said the Rain or Shine big man. “Sabi ko sa sarili ko, I’m not gonna open my Facebook and Twitter accounts just for two days. Sigurado masarap ang makikita at mababasa ko dun.”
Despite all the dramatics on the floor, Belga always keeps his head in the game, as the words of coach Yeng Guiao still reverberates in his mind whenever they take the court.
“Yun ang sinasabi ni coach, use your mind, focus mentally and physically. First half, medyo wala kami nun, nung second half, narealize namin na kailangan naming mag-focus,” he said.
And as Rain or Shine clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with its 6-3 card, Belga is preparing himself for a harder grind towards the playoffs.
“Ganun talaga eh. Parating na ang playoffs so expected na everything will be tough,” he said. “As long as nananalo yung team ko at wala kaming problema, kahit kalaban namin ang buong mundo, ok lang at tatanggapin ko.” (RL)
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