Art dela Cruz and Mac Belo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
This early, Blackwater coach Leo Isaac is gushing over the partnership of Mac Belo and Art dela Cruz.
“Ang ganda ng kombinasyon nila. May mga maliliit na bagay na lang na kailangang ayusin, sabihin na nating medyo nagkakalituhan pa since they almost play the same position, but they go along very well,” he said.
And the same goes for the young forwards.
Though playing in schools competing in different leagues, Belo and dela Cruz’ paths have crossed each other from time-to-time, allowing them to understand each one’s strengths.
“Nagkakaunawaan kami ni Art. We’re in the same position na three and four kaya pag sabay kami sa court, mabilis yung flow namin,” said Belo.
The 6-foot-4 forward, who was selected by the Elite in the Gilas round of the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft, has proven himself as advertised, becoming a steady contributor for the team in its practices and tuneup games.
And he attributes that a big part of that early success to his cohesion with dela Cruz.
“Mas kabisado na namin ang isa’t isa. Sa defense, usap-usap na lang switch. Sa offense naman, kung sino ang mauna sa tres, adjust na lang sa four. Madali yun sa aming dalawa,” Belo said.
For his part, dela Cruz said even he was surprised with how fast they clicked on the court.
“Nagulat ako kasi may chemistry kaagad kami. One week pa lang pero ang ganda na ng pasahan namin. Pareho kami ng iniisip sa laro eh. Nagkakakitaan kami kung saan ang open,” he said.
Dela Cruz, who was part of last season’s All-Rookie Team, believes that these early signs could only mean great things for Blackwater.
“Mas madami na yung babantayan sa amin. Hindi naman kami nag-aagawan ng pwesto eh. Pwede kami magsabay sa loob,” he said. “Sobrang ganda ng pasahan namin. Wala namang buwayahan sa team namin.”