Mac Belo. PBA IMAGES
From one King Tamaraw to another, Arwind Santos believes that Mac Belo has what it takes to make the cut in the big league.
“Maganda talaga ang laro ni Belo,” he said on Thursday.
The San Miguel star and former PBA Most Valuable Player made the trek to Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna to witness Phoenix, predominantly made up of FEU mainstays, face Tanduay in Game 1 of the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Finals. The Accelerators would go on and take the victory, 84-76.
“Maganda ang nilaro ng Phoenix. Yung talent nila, given na. Pero ang ganda ng defense nila as a team kaya nakuha nila yung panalo,” said Santos.
And at the center of it all was Belo, who had a sterling second half as he dropped 27 of his 30 points in the final two quarters, while also nabbing 14 rebounds and three assists.
Santos never had doubts on Belo’s capability as a player since he set foot in FEU.
“Dati pa, kahit noong rookie year nya pa lang, kung titingnan mo, pwede talaga sya sa PBA kasi matapang yung bata,” he said.
For his part, Belo said that the surprise arrival of Santos was an added inspiration for the team.
“Naging extra motivation din para sa amin na nandyan sya,” he said. “Lagi rin syang sumusuporta sa amin kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa kanya kasi andyan sya lagi.”
Though the FEU legend peppered him with praise, Belo knows that the job still isn’t over for Phoenix.
“Masaya ako sa comment niya, pero kailangan ko at kailangan pa rin namin mag-trabaho,” he said.
And that’s the lasting advice Santos wants the Accelerators to keep after taking Game 1. “Mabigat ang
kalaban nila. Di pa tapos ang series,” he said.
Game 2 is on Tuesday at Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite.