Beau Belga will get a shot at redemption with Mighty Sports.
Two years after an unfruitful stint in Dubai, the 6-foot-5 bruiser will join the squad when it returns to the desert from January 23 to February 1 at the Shabab Al Ahli Club.
And it was the Rain or Shine stalwart who reached out to head coach Charles Tiu if he could join the team. Belga was part of the 2017 team that won just one game in the invitational tournament.
“Beau actually reached out to us, saying he’d love to be part of our team again and of course we welcomed Beau with open arms.
“He’s not after the money or anything but he just wants to compete and represent the Philippines,” said Tiu about the addition of the 11-year vet to his squad that is backed by Creative Pacific of Bong Cuevas, Go for Gold, Oriental Group, Discovery Primea, and Gatorade.
There will be no problems when it comes to both Rain or Shine and the PBA according to league commissioner Willie Marcial saying, “Nagpadala na sila ng letter at pag-uusapan namin yan. Wala namang magiging problema.”
“We would like to thank of course Raymond Yu and Terry Que for lending Beau to us and also the PBA,” added Tiu.
Since being part of Mighty two years ago, Belga has since played for Gilas Pilipinas, playing in both the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and the Asian Games.
“I remember whenever they called Beau for the national team he was always there no questions asked even if it was just as a reserve or a practice player. Got to appreciate that about him,” expressed Tiu.
During the Governors’ Cup, Belga played in only six games, averaging 4.17 points and 3.00 rebounds per game.
For Tiu, Belga’s addition will be big for his frontline.
“Beau gives us another presence down low. He gives us a lot of toughness and he will be our enforcer down there. He’s another big guy who could complement Kai [Sotto] and Andray [Blatche].”
Also part of the team are Javi and Juan Gomez de Liaño; Dave Ildefonso; Jamie Malonzo; and Mikey Williams. Serving as one of Tiu’s assistant coaches is Angola national team head coach Will Voigt.
Teams that have been announced for the tourney are Libya’s Al Ahli; Syria’s Alwathba Sports Club and Al Ittihad; UAE’s national team and Alittihad Alexandria Club; Lebanon’s Al Riyadi and Beirut Sports Club; and American School in Dubai.
