Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Gilas Pilipinas continued to encounter humps on the road to the 2017 Seaba Championship.
Mac Belo won’t be available once the country defends its home turf in the regional tournament as he recovers from a meniscus tear on his right knee.
READ: Mac Belo adjusting to being a marked man
The affable forward bared that he will be out for four to six weeks as he is set to undergo surgery, putting him out of action for the Seaba tilt slated on May 12 to 18.
“I won’t be there for SEABA. I already told coach Chot (Reyes) that I won’t be there,” he said.
Belo still attended Monday’s evening practice session at Meralco Gym but sat in the sidelines and just observed the drills.
READ: With suspected meniscal tear, Belo’s Gilas stint uncertain
The Blackwater rookie expressed his disappointment following the results of his MRI, but vowed to come back stronger once he gets cleared.
“It’s a downer, but I’m using it as a motivation to come back stronger. I just have to give time for recovery. Hopefully, I can recover quickly,” he said.
Belo said he will continue to attend the weekly practices diligently to keep himself informed with Reyes’ schemes.
“I will still be attending,” he said.