May 01, 2024

PBA: Beau Belga attributes scoring spree to confidence gained from coach Yeng Guiao

PBA: Beau Belga attributes scoring spree to confidence gained from coach Yeng Guiao
Beau Belga almost scored another triple-double for Rain or Shine in Wednesday's win over NorthPort. Photo (c) PBA

Known more for doing the dirty work, Beau Belga has found himself leading Rain or Shine’s offense in the ongoing PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.

On Wednesday, April 17, Belga sustained his scoring spree and set a career-high 28 points, to go with 13 rebounds and seven assists in a 115-105 win against NorthPort at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Beau is now averaging 17.78 points, 9.33 rebounds, and 5.44 assists as the Elasto Painters zoomed to their fifth straight win after dropping their first four assignments. 

[RELATED STORY: Beau Belga a little extra in Rain or Shine's resurgence in Philippine Cup]

The 7th overall pick in the 2008 PBA Draft attributed this surge to two things, the first one being the need to step up following the absence of starting big man Keith Datu, who is down with an MCL injury.

“Mula nung na-injury si Ketih talagang inano ko sarili ko na kailangan ko i-insert sarili ko sa offense dahil nung first few games namin puro pasa ako,” said Belga.

“If I have a chance talaga aangkinin ko naman. pero nung mula nung na-injury si Keith, talagang pinanindigan ko na, magba-bakaw na ako.”

The other one was coach Yeng Guiao... who of course has a way of getting the best out of players.

“Yung kumpyansa ni coach na pinagkakatiwala sakin yung primary offense namin, tapos hinahayaan nya akong dumiskarte on my own. Nakakapag-decide tayong maganda, nagre-result in good offense,” said the 37-year-old cager.

At the rate things are going, it seems Belga will keep at it as Rain or Shine eyes a playoff berth in the All-Filipino Conference.

“Just doing my job, setting the ball screens sharing the ball, really just leading these guys kasi puro bata,” he said.