Mac Belo expressed fulfillment in helping Blackwater keep its quarterfinal hopes alive in the PBA Philippine Cup despite his non-inclusion from the Gilas Pilipinas roster for the second window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Belo scored 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting while conspiring with Raymar Jose, Mike DiGregorio, Poy Erram and John Pinto to make key plays late and give the Elite an 83-78 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The result ended Blackwater's elimination round campaign at 5-6 to remain in contention for a quarterfinals berth.
Belo and the rest of the Elite now play the waiting game, hoping for favorable results from other teams in the final four playdates of the elims.
"Good win para sa amin," Belo said. "Gustong-gusto namin manalo kasi this is the last game sa eliminations. Umaasa kami na makakapasok kami sa playoffs."
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His satisfaction over the result came after missing a three-point shot in the final seconds of Blackwater's 93-90 loss to NLEX Sunday at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Hours after that loss, Belo was opted out of the Gilas roster for Thursday's match
against Australia in Melbourne because of an iliotibial band syndrome (runner's knee) that forced him to miss Blackwater's 106-96 upset of San Miguel last Feb. 9.
Though Belo has since played the next three games, Gilas coach Chot Reyes opted to go for healthy bodies.
"Always naman akong nakasupport sa Gilas, 100 percent naman yun," Belo said. "Siguro ngayon di lang ako 100 percent kaya nag-decide yung management ng Blackwater at saka ng Gilas na wag muna ako isama sa Australia." (JT)
