PBA: Mac Belo traded to Rain or Shine; Meralco acquires Norbert Torres

Mac Belo drives past NorthPort defenders. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines — Mac Belo is headed to Rain or Shine after Meralco reached a one-on-one trade agreement for Norbert Torres.

After the PBA approved the deal on Thursday, the Elasto Painters will be Belo’s third PBA team after spending the last three years with the Bolts.

The 30-year-old winger out of Far Eastern University, who was selected by Blackwater in the Gilas Pilipinas special draft in 2016, was traded to Meralco in 2021 but only played a total of 42 games in five conferences before taking a leave of absence in the previous Governors’ Cup.

Belo will play under coach Yeng Guiao for the first time while Torres bid farewell to Rain or Shine after five years.

Torres, the 6-foot-6  big man who averaged  6.6 points on 50-percent shooting and 1.7 rebounds in nine games in the 2023 Governors’ Cup, will be playing for his fifth team in his eight-year professional career.

Meralco expressed its gratitude for Belo’s contribution and said it can’t wait to have the services of the 33-year-old Torres.

TRADE ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

We thank Mac Belo for his contributions to the team and wish him well in his future endeavors.#BoltsNation, join us in welcoming Norbert Torres to the Meralco Bolts family! ⚡ #ChargeForward pic.twitter.com/gDB5Kji836

— Meralco Bolts (@MeralcoBolts) May 18, 2023

“We want to thank Mac Belo for his contributions to the team and wish him well in his future endeavors,” the team wrote. “At the same time, we are excited to welcome Norbert Torres to the Meralco Bolts family. We believe that he will make a positive impact on the team, and we look forward to working with him as we prepare for the upcoming season.”

The Bolts recently promoted Luigi Trillo as head coach with Norman Black being named as team consultant.

The next PBA season will open after the Fiba World Cup 2023 from August 25 to September 10.