Mac Belo is fully aware that he has struggled along with the Blackwater Elite in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.
Across seven games – where they only won one – the 6-foot-4 forward averaged just 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds, which could be considered lowly numbers since he would play 23 minutes a game.
So come Friday, Belo took it as a challenge to deliver not just for himself, but for his brothers as well.
And it was a challenge that he aced. The third-year pro out of FEU collected a season-high 22 points along with nine rebounds, two assists, and a steal, to help Blackwater eke out a 106-100 victory over the Columbian Dyip.
Belo scored 10 of his output in the final frame, and shot a commendable 7-of-12 from the field in nearly 25 minutes.
“The past few games namin talagang nag-struggle especially ako, so yun I find ways na maka-recover,” Belo said.
“Thank you sa teammates ko kasi maganda and na-execute namin plays namin, kaya na-open din ako, so nalalaro ko laro ko.”
Friday’s victory improved Blackwater to 2-6, and also kept their playoff hopes alive. Belo said that the victory is a morale-booster, and he hopes that they will be able to sustain their run in their final three games.
“Malaking tulong sa’min ‘tong panalong to kasi na-boost confidence namin, so sana next game solid uli para makuha panalo.”
