Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao was pleased with what he saw from newly-acquired forward Mac Belo in the Elasto Painters’ narrow victory over San Miguel in the PBA On Tour on Wednesday night.
Fresh off signing a one-year deal, Belo recorded five points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 16 minutes and 27 seconds of play in Rain or Shine’s 100-98 triumph over the Beermen at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.
“Okay na ‘yun, ‘di ba? Natagalan siya sa pagbalik so we don’t want to put too much pressure on him,” said Guiao after the win.
“We just want him to get along and find his game, but I’m happy with what I saw. Nandoon ‘yung effort, ‘yung energy. He’s also able to grasp our system, so he will get even better,” he added.
For his part, Belo mentioned that he is still in the process of regaining his rhythm after an uneventful stint with Meralco.
(C) PBA Images
“Nakita mo naman kanina, ang dami kong turnovers so, well, ‘yun ‘yung ano, matagal akong walang game, ‘di ba? Hopefully, ‘yun ‘yung mapagaralan ko ulit, makuha ko ‘yung timing ko para makatulong sa team,” Belo said.
“Kasi ang tagal kong walang game na competitive, eh, so siguro unti-unti makukuha ko rin ‘yung timing.”
The 30-year-old Belo expressed his gratitude to Guiao and the rest of the Elasto Painters for their patience during his transition process.
Belo mentioned that Rain or Shine veterans Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood, as well as the team’s young players, have been instrumental in helping him adapt to Guiao’s system.
“Even sa practice, lagi niya akong ginagabayan, so kapag nakikita niya na medyo naligaw ako, talagang nandun siya umaalalay, kaya I’m very grateful, pati na rin kila kuya Gabe [Norwood],” said the former Gilas cadet.
“Pati na rin ‘yung mga youngsters namin, nagtatanong din ako, so sila naman very vocal, willing magturo sa akin, so kaya medyo naa-adapt ko agad ‘yung sistema na gustong mangyari ng team. I-wowork ko na lang talaga is to work extra time para makuha ko ‘yung timing ko and, of course, para makasabay din sa chemistry na tinatakbo ng team.”
