Coming off a spectacular collegiate career capped by a UAAP Championship and a Finals Most Valuable Player trophy, Mac Belo added more trophies in his cabinet in winning his first PBA D-League championship and the conference MVP crown.
The North Cotabato-native averaged 18.7 points per game and 6.3 rebounds during the elimination round of the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup that powered the debuting Phoenix Petroleum-Far Eastern University Accelerators the franchise’s first playoff berth in the developmental league. Moreover, Belo set the D-League scoring record, once held by AMA Titans’ Jerremy King, in a 41 point-outing against the Caida Tile Masters last February 15.
The Finals series though headlined by two school-based squads proved to be a classic as the series was pushed to the limit. Belo was the constant in all five games as he raised his game to a higher level. In the series, the 23 year old averaged a monstrous 21.6 points and 11 boards including a masterful 25 point, 13-rebound outing in the championship-clinching game.
However, the first half of Game Five did not start the way the King Tamaraw wanted it to be. Belo shot just 2/8 in the first two quarters and looked frustrated as the misses kept coming. “Medyo hindi pumapasok yung tira ko (nung umpisa) kaya medyo gigil ako,” Belo shared. “Sobrang na-excite ako sa Game Five kasi first time ko umabot ng ganitong series. Buti na lang nung second half, sa tulong ng coaches at teammates ko, sobrang tiwala nila sa akin.”
He credited his teammates and coaches afterwards for the trust and confidence they gave him after the horrendous start in saying, “Nagpapasalamat ako sa teammates ko lalo na kay Mike (Tolomia) at kay Ed (Daquioag), sa Phoenix management, sa coaches namin lalo na kay coach Eric (Gonzales). Talagang nagpapasalamat lang ako sa tiwalang binibigay nila sa amin,” he said as he lifted his team in a clutch 13 point performance in the fourth quarter and in overtime.
“Sabi lang nila tira lang ako ng tira kapag open. Sa awa ng Diyos pumasok.”
Moreover, what made this championship more special for Belo was that it gave former UAAP rival and current teammate Ed Daquioag a championship. “Masaya kasi semi-pro ito e. Nabigyan din namin si Ed ng championship kaya sobrang saya,” he added.
Staying true and humble even with all the individual accolades he had received, Belo believes that his hard work is the only key to the success he is experiencing. “(Ang masasabi ko lang is) Nag pay-off lang talga ‘yung hard work ko, lahat naman pinaghihirapan at walang madali,” the Gilas Cadet member closed.
Belo and the rest of the Phoenix-FEU Accelerators are still unsure whether the team will return for the Foundation Cup. One thing is for sure though: the Tamaraw group of Belo, Mike Tolomia, Roger Pogoy, and Russel Escoto will continue in improving their game as they are part of the Men’s National Basketball team’s cadet squad.
