MERALCO expects a lot from newly-acquired big man Mac Belo especially in terms of adding size and depth to its roster.
Coach Norman Black said the forward out of Far Eastern University should come in handy in the Bolts' campaign for the PBA 46th season.
"I'm expecting Mac Belo to come in and help us immediately," said the veteran mentor. "He has already proven to be a productive player in the PBA. He's a double figure scorer every night and averages about eight rebounds per game
"If he can just bring that every single game, that just gives us a lot more depth particularly if we get down the stretch."
Black gave his thoughts on the 28-year-old native of Midsayap, Cotabato in his guesting Saturday in the program Power&Play by former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala.
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The Bolts realized the potential help Belo could bring to the franchise that they gave up five-year guard Baser Amer to Blackwater in order to acquire the services of the 6-foot-4 former UAAP Finals MVP.
While parting ways with Amer - the Bolts' first round pick in the 2015 draft - saddened the team, it nonetheless consoles itself by looking at the upside Belo would bring at Meralco.
"I think we'll be a much deeper team and that's where Mac Belo comes in," said Black.
Belo normed 11.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in the last Philippine Cup bubble during his final season with Blackwater.
Black hopes the top pick in the 2016 special Gilas draft would be able to bring those same numbers, or even more, with Meralco especially in the middle.
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"He helps us in that frontline. We can use him as a 3-man, we can use him as a 4-man. So he gives us a lot of versatility," added the Meralco coach.
The Bolts came close to making the finals of the all-Filipino conference last season, only to be symied by a game-winning three-pointer by Scottie Thompson in their do-or-die Game 5 with eventual champion Barangay Ginebra Kings during their semifinal series.
Nonetheless, the semis stint in the Philippine Cup was the first ever in Meralco franchise history. (RG)
