Belo to the rescue

Photo by Tristan Tamayo / INQUIRER.net

Playing his worthiest game since recovering from a knee injury, sophomore swingman Mac Belo announced his return to form and led Blackwater to a 92-87 nipping of Rain or Shine for the Elite’s first win in the PBA Philippine Cup at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay on Friday.

Sitting out the latter half of the previous season and struggling big time with Gilas Pilipinas and the Elite in his comeback from surgery, Belo dropped five triples and finished with 25 points, precisely the numbers that made him the top Draft pick two years ago when Blackwater planned to build its team around him.

The last of those five Belo treys came with 1:39 remaining and gave the Elite the breathing room they needed, 90-85, as Blackwater tied its victim at 1-1 after a 103-98 loss to Meralco in its debut last Dec. 22.

In the nightcap, TNT KaTropa made it a six-way tie at 1-1 after downing Alaska, 106-98.

Troy Rosario paced the Ka-Tropa with 21 points while Jayson Castro and Mo Tautuaa fired 18 points each.

Rookie Jeron Teng produced 28 points to lead Alaska, which fell to 0-2.

Blackwater’s defense also helped, as the Elite starved the Elasto Painters’ big guns to paltry outputs.

Chris Tiu’s 14 points led the Painters, who couldn’t sustain the brilliance they displayed in their 82-79 nipping powerhouse TNT KaTropa last week.

Mike DiGregorio scattered 23 points and fed Belo for that win-sealing triple even as rookie Raymar Jose, the third overall pick in the last Draft, finished with 13 points and eight rebounds in just 20 minutes.

“Our defense had to hold against the firepower of Rain or Shine,” Blackwater coach Leo Isaac said. “And it did. We were able to sustain our defense.”