For Mac Belo, Blackwater’s recent trades have become a factor behind the Elite’s woes in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup.
The team has become the talk of the town following their recent trades — which included gunners Allein Maliksi and Mike DiGregorio.
DiGregorio was the one who got shipped first. Last October 19, the Elite sent the Filipino-Italian sharpshooter to the TNT KaTropa in exchange for stocky floor general Brian Heruela.
Then just six days later, Blackwater gave Maliksi and sophomore bruiser Raymar Jose to the Meralco Bolts for veteran forward KG Cañaleta, Mike Tolomia, and future second-round draft picks.
The Elite haven’t won a game since the trades happened. They absorbed their fourth straight defeat on Wednesday night at the hands of Justin Brownlee and Barangay Ginebra, 93-101.
“Factor [‘yung trades], kasi alam naman natin si Allein tsaka si Mike, isa sa mga mahabang minutes sa ‘min. So mahirap din mag-adjust, pabago-bago, especially during the season,” said third-year Elite Belo, who had 19 points in the loss to the crowd darlings.
“Okay sana kung off-season, madali maka-pick up (mga bago).”
Belo, though, understands that trades are all part of their job as professionals. So now, they plan on working on that chemistry as they aim to give hope to their flickering playoff chances.
The Elite have dropped to 2-7 in the team standings following the loss to the current fourth-seed Gin Kings.
“Sabi nga ni coach Aris [Dimaunahan], part ng job namin ‘yun,” said Belo. “Mas trabahuhin pa namin ‘yung teamwork namin. More on chemistry kasi may mga new guys kami, may mga nawala.
“‘Yun ‘yung mas kailangan namin ngayon. Kailangan pa namin i-improve yung pagiging unit namin.”
