RAIN OR SHINE coach Yeng Guiao believes Mac Belo would be a major asset in the long run for the Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after watching him in two days of practice.
Guiao confirmed to BusinessMirror over the weekend that the 30-year-old Belo has signed a one-year contract after he was traded by Meralco for Norbert Torres.
“We watched him during his first two days of practice and we liked what we saw,” Guiao said, adding that playing time would not be an issue with him. “Playing time? Yes, we will give him. He can be a great asset to the team. We believe in him.”
The former Far Eastern University forward had a great start with Blackwater for four years since 2016, but everything changes when he was traded with Meralco two years ago for Baser Amer and Bryan Faundo.
His minutes were limited due to injuries in 2022.
Now with Rain or Shine, Belo’s career will be resurrected.
“I’m thankful to coach Yeng [Guiao] for welcoming and accepting me here in Rain or Shine. I’m very excited,” Belo said, a former University Athletic Association of the Philippines Finals Most Valuable Player. “Hopefully by next week I could play.”
Belo sat during Rain or Shine’s 113-104 win over Phoenix Super LPG last Friday in Antipolo as he was still studying the system of his new team.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine team owner Raymond Yu denied that they had a hard time negotiating with Belo after the trade was consummated.
“It was not true. Everything was smoothly negotiated between two parties,” he said. “Rey Nambatac’s manager is Edgar Mangahas, and that’s also the manager of Mac Belo. So there was no problem.”
