Slowly, the core of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters has been dismantled all through the 43rd season of the PBA.
It all started with Yeng Guiao moving to the NLEX Road Warriors prior to the start of the season. Then Paul Lee was swapped for James Yap, while JR Quinahan was traded away as well. Then just last Monday, Jeff Chan was sent to the Phoenix Fuel Masters for Mark Borboran.
With his brothers-at-arm finding new homes, Beau Belga, who has been with the franchise since 2011, cannot help feeling saddened by the developments.
“Yung feeling na masakit kasi binuo ito ni coach Yeng as a family. Yung isa isang nawawala, parang una mahirap tanggapin,” shared the burly big man after Rain or Shine’s 94-86 win over the Kia Picanto on Sunday evening.
And with the trades coming at a surprising rate, the 10-year pro admits to the nature of the profession he chose, that there is no such thing as security.
“Pero sinabi niya nga sa amin na it’s our job. Di namin alam kung saan kami mapupunta, kung bukas makalawa, di mo alam kung nasa anong team ka na,” the two-time PBA champion said.
“You have to be prepared sa pinakamalupit na mangyayari.
“It’s their decision kung sa tingin nila gusto nila akong itrade. Wala akong magagawa doon. Wala akong control sa part na yun. Ang control ko lang is maglaro,” Belga added.
Still, native of Gubat, Sorsogon could not help reminiscing how special that Rain or Shine team had been, a team that won two PBA Championships and made six finals appearances.
“Iba yun eh.
“Yung samahan na yun, binuo yun na di naman sa kalokohan. Kami sa isa’t isa, bawal mapikon. Yun ang nabuo namin, yung chemistry na kahit maglokohan at magbiruan kami, pagdating sa laro, seryoso kami. Yun ang part na mamimiss mo sa team na yun,” Belga looked back with wonder.
