After missing their match against the San Miguel Beermen last February 9, Mac Belo made his return to the Blackwater Elite on Friday night. And it couldn’t be a more fitting comeback, as the Elite cruised past the Kia Picanto, 95-76, for their second straight victory.
“Okay naman na. Nagle-lessen naman yung tightness [sa left knee ko],” shared the 25-year-old after the match, where he collected six points, three rebounds, and two steals in 15 minutes. “Wala naman [na akong iniinda].”
With the win, the Elite’s chances of barging into the 201718 Philippine Cup quarterfinals have become clearer. They have now improved their record to 4-5, tying the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the eighth spot of the team standings.
According to Belo, that is why their remaining games — against the NLEX Road Warriors this coming Sunday and the Fuel Masters on February 21 — are both must-win games, as they aim to formalize their entry into the next round.
“Every game namin must-win talaga. Yun yung mindset namin, kasi may opportunity kami na ‘pag nanalo kami sa remaining games namin, may chance kami sa playoffs,” he said.
“Talagang ibubuhos namin lahat ng natitira sa’min.”
It will definitely be tough to back up those claims, considering the way NLEX and Phoenix are playing at this point, but the former FEU Tamaraws star is confident in his team’s chances against their fellow playoff hopefuls.
“Maganda na tinatakbo ng team namin,” said the North Cotabato-born forward.
“Yung teamwork namin, halos balanced scoring lahat. Tapos nagco-contribute yung bawat isa sa’min. At, nagii-step up kahit sino ipasok ni coach.”
