By Waylon Galvez
Rain or Shine center Beau Belga said the intensity showed by team’s younger players and the smarts of the veterans have been the reasons for the team’s early success in the PBA bubble for the PH Cup in Clark, Pampanga.
The Painters are perfect in three games, and Belga was quick to point to those factors why they’re on the roll.
“Maganda kasi yung intensity na pinakikita ng mga bata, siempre kung ikaw beterano, makita mo na ganun sila maglaro, siempre bibigay mo din kung anong kaya mo,” said Belga, who is now on his 13th season.
“Pero bilang beterano, kailangan alam mo din kung papanong mag-pacing. Kumbaga, unti unti lang muna kasi mahaba pa itong laban, ang mahirap is yung ma-injury ka tapos ilang days ka di makalaro.”
Rain or Shine opened its all-Filipino conference campaign with an 87-83 victory against defending champion San Miguel Beer last Oct. 13 followed by a 91-82 win over TerraFirma DYIP last Friday.
The team improved to 3-0 with a 70-68 triumph versus NorthPort to tie TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, which also claimed its third win in as many games Sunday night.
Of the 15 players in the Elasto Painters roster, five have been in the PBA for more than 10 years.
Gabe Norwood and Mark Borboran are also in their 13th year since they both entered the league the same year with Belga back in 2008. The previous year, guard Ryan Arana joined ROS as a rookie pick.
James Yap, a two-time MVP, is the team’s most veteran with 17 seasons in his resume.
The young guns were keys in those wins, though.
Sophomore forward Javee Mocon starred for the Elasto Painters with 25 points against SMB, while Rey Nambatac powered Rain or Shine’s attack with 19 points and Mocon had 14 points, 10 rebounds versus TerraFirma.
Opposite the Batang Pier, rookie Adrian Wong led the team scoring with 15, a testament, Belga said, of the trust ROS coach Caloy Garcia has on the young guys to help the team.
“Nagkakaron ng kumpiyansa yung mga mas batang players kasi nagkakaron ng chance na makalaro,” said Belga, who is averaging 10.3 points, seven boards and two assists through three games.
“Siempre kung ikaw bata, papakita mo na kaya mo, and so far maganda kasi nakakapag-deliver sila. Maganda kay coach Caloy bininigyan din niya talaga ng chance yung mga mas batang players.”
