From L-R: Mac Belo, Baser Amer and Bryan Faundo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines—The PBA on Thursday approved the trade that sent forward Mac Belo from Blackwater to Meralco in exchange for point guard Baser Amer and big man Bryan Faundo.
Belo was the Finals MVP in Far Eastern University’s 2015 UAAP title campaign and was one of the top prospects heading into the 2016 PBA Draft wherein he eventually went to the Elite as part of the Gilas special draft that year.
Despite his collegiate status, Belo never had much of a stellar season in the PBA as he struggled with injuries during his four-year stay with the Elite.
TEAM STATEMENT: @pbaconnect has approved the trade between Meralco Bolts and Blackwater Elite involving Baser Amer, Bryan Faundo, and Mac Belo. As we prepare for the upcoming PBA season, our organization thanks Baser and Bryan for their valuable contributions to the team. [1/6] pic.twitter.com/pB3KLkLUEw
— Meralco Bolts (@MeralcoBolts) February 4, 2021
Nevertheless, Belo proved to be a solid versatile forward putting upwards of 10 points and five boards a game in the past four conferences.
Belo last averaged 11.4 points and 5.3 rebounds for Blackwater.
Amer, meanwhile, had a remarkable college career with four NCAA titles with San Beda and a Finals MVP in the 2012 title run.
Meralco’s starting point guard since 2016 after Jimmy Alapag retired, Amer went on to play in three championship series but all those ended in losses to Barangay Ginebra.
Amer last averaged 9.0 points and 2.7 assists for the Bolts during the 2020 Philippine Cup.