When the Blackwater Elite drafted Mac Belo in the special Gilas draft during the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft, many believed that the Ever Bilena-owned franchise found its game-changing player that would turn the team around.
However, disaster struck the franchise last April when the 6-foot-4 forward needed surgery to repair his left knee. Once he returned in the season-ending Governors’ Cup, Belo was not the same, averaging just 5.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 15.2 minutes of action after posting norms of 15.1 points and 5.6 rebounds during the Philippine Cup.
With the losses piling up, it got to a point where the Elite had their patience were tested.
“Laking frustration lalo na sa part ko. Galing din ako sa injury tapos late na ko nakatulong,” recalled fourth-year pro JP Erram. “Tapos si Mac napilay at si Art [dela Cruz] nawala sa amin.
“Malaking dagok ‘yun especially for a young team like us.”
“Hindi naman frustrating kasi hindi mo talaga in-eexpect yung mga injury,” shared Roi Sumang, Blackwater’s floor general. “Talagang nangyayari yan.”
For his part, Leo Isaac had to glue his young team together. He did so by preaching patience.
“We had to be patient with him (Belo), same with the players with our plays,” Isaac said.
“Sabi nga ni coach, ‘Stay patient’,” furthered Sumang.
“Actually lahat kami, we are patient with each other,” added Erram. “Alam naman namin na kami lang makakasira sa isa’t isa at makakasira sa mga player. Kinakausap ko sila nung practice, sabi ko, ‘Hindi lang tayo nasa PBA para maglaro. Nandito tayo para ipakita na may talent tayo and we can win.’
Early in the 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup, Belo seems to have found his lethal form.
After scoring 13 points in their loss to the Meralco Bolts last December 22, the 24-year-old was unstoppable against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Friday evening, scoring a game-high 25 points to go along with seven assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Moreover, Belo was clutch in the contest, scoring the last seven Blackwater points to hold off Rain or Shine, 92-87.
“Sobrang happy ako na yung kumpiyansa niya bumabalik na pati yung laro niya. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,” said rookie Raymar Jose, who has fought many battles with Belo in FEU.
Watching Belo erupt was a sight his teammates knew that was bound to happen.
“Si Mac nung na-injured siya, bumaba laro niya. Ngayon, binabalik namin yung kumpyansa niya,” expressed Erram. “Happy kami na nakabalik na siya. Last game, maganda yung nilaro niya.
“Patient talaga kami sa isa’t isa lalo na kay Mac.”
“Mahirap naman talaga manggaling sa injury. Nung bumalik siya last conference, medyo na-iilang pa siya,” explained Sumang. “Ngayong one-hundred percent na siya, ganun na ulit yung nilalaro niya tulad nung nilaro niya nung pumasok siya sa amin nung All-Filipino last year. Siguro bumalik na yung timing niya at lahat.”
With Blackwater ending the year with a bang — and exorcising their curse against Rain or Shine and the Cuneta Astrodome in the process, the Elite are wishing one thing for 2018.
“More wins, good health sa aming mga player — hindi lang sa Blackwater kung hindi sa buong PBA,” shared Erram, who recently recovered from an ACL tear.
