Gilas cadet and Blackwater Elite rookie Mac Belo received some bad news on Monday afternoon. The MRI results on his right knee showed that he has torn his meniscus, forcing him to miss four to six weeks of action and the SEABA Championship.
“Four to six weeks akong out,” Belo shared during Monday night’s Gilas practice.
“Malabo, malabo yung SEABA. Sinabi ko na rin kay coach Chot (Reyes) [na wala ako].”
The 24-year-old utility forward admitted that he had been saddened upon hearing the news, knowing that he would have to miss the SEABA tournament that is slated to take place from May 12 to 18 at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“Siyempre nakaka-down pero ginagawa ko na lang siyang motivation na kailangan ko pa magpalakas lalo. Ayun, kailangan ng time for recovery,” the native of Midsayap, Cotabato admitted.
“Hopefully, makabalik kagad. Kailangan kasi talagang tanggalin yung punit.”
Belo, who had suffered the same injury 2012, reflected that he had already experienced pain in his right knee during the Philippine Cup. Thinking that it was just a stinger, he continued to play on until the early part of he Commissioners Cup.
“Nung last conference pa e. Akala ko talaga tight lang kasi minsan nawawala,” the product of the FEU program said. “Ngayong conference, dun ko na nakikita na nawawalan ako ng lakas kaya nagpa-MRI na ko. Yun yung naging result.
“This week, sana maaasikaso na yung papers. Kulang na lang schedule ng operation,” he added.
Though frustrated, Belo vows to still attend Gilas Pilipinas and Blackwater’s practices and watch on the sidelines.
“Oo naman. Kahit sa Blackwater dadalaw pa rin ako. Siyempre kailangan pa rin maging updated,” he quipped.
