Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Mac Belo looks to be the spark Meralco needs come do-or-die game


Mac Belo seized the opportunity as he received significant minutes from Meralco in Game Five of the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup, Sunday night.

The fifth-year forward rarely played in the playoffs. He was, in fact, a DNP in the previous two games of the series. But he finally had the chance to prove his worth as the Bolts aimed to regain the lead in the best-of-seven affair.

He played for a total of 12 minutes and 40 seconds off the bench, and was part of the units that strung together major runs in the second half. That included the one in the final period that saw them come close to just a point from 14 down.

Unfortunately, the Gin Kings responded with a run of their own behind Christian Standhardinger and Scottie Thompson. They went on to frustrate their rivals, 115-110, to move just one win away from championship glory.

Belo finished with four points, two rebounds, and a block. But the soft-spoken cager would rather take the victory more than anything else.

“Sayang, natalo kami,” said the former Far Eastern University star, who was also a plus-8 for the Bolts, after the game at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

“We need to find ways na maka-bounce back sa series na ‘to.”

Still, it was a solid performance that he put up. And that could give him more playing time in the crucial Game Six on Wednesday, still at the Big Dome.

“He was pretty good tonight, came in, and really helped the team,” said head coach Norman Black. “He executed well on defense, that’s one of the reasons we caught up.

“So I expect him to play on Wednesday, yes.”

Belo, for his part, assured that he’s ready whenever his number gets called, keen to make his first-ever Finals trip a memorable one.

“Basta as long as makatulong ako sa team, gagawin ko naman lahat. And Finals na ‘to e, first Finals appearance ko ‘to, so binibigay ko na lang ‘yung best ko.”

All PBA games stream live on GigaPlay. Download it now on Android or IOS.

The Finals are also livestreamed on SMART Sports.

#ReadMore  PBA: Ginebra topples San Miguel in defensive match to gain share of lead
Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Chris Banchero and Chris Newsome closed it out as Meralco put an end to the six-game winning streak of NLEX by way of a...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Coach Luigi Trillo could only smile upon receiving a reminder about the last time Meralco started a PBA conference at 3-5. “I...

Basketball

Will there be a homecourt edge for Meralco? It sure is an intriguing possibility, now that Dubai is confirmed to be the host of...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Even without Cliff Hodge, Meralco still got the job done after rolling past the skidding Blackwater, 103-85, to snap out of its...

Basketball

Meralco forward Cliff Hodge has been suspended for one game and fined ₱100,000 by the PBA Commissioner’s Office following a flagrant foul on Magnolia...

Basketball

Cliff Hodge insisted there was no ill intent in his hard foul on Zavier Lucero that sparked a heated altercation late in Meralco’s 117-92...

Basketball

Paul Lee went on a heater run in the fourth quarter to help Magnolia finish strong against Meralco, 117-92, and stretch their unbeaten run...

Basketball

Meralco can finally field all its stars for the Basketball Champions League Asia 2025 now that they’ve been cleared to play as locals by...

Advertisement