ALL the hype on this guy is certainly legit and after only five games into his Philippine Basketball Association career, expect so much more from this soft-spoken rookie.
Mac Belo, arguably the best among the crop of new recruits in the 42nd season of the PBA, is certainly as good as advertised.
But don’t take just my word for though as his numbers are a living proof.
Lifting his team to fourth place with a 3-2 win-loss record, the Midsayap, North Cotabato native has been averaging 21 points, eight rebounds and an assist for the Blackwater Elite.
Although his lowest output was a measly nine points in his team’s win against the NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday, this just goes to show how squads from around the league are beginning to become wary of his potential.
And who wouldn’t?
The former Far Eastern University Tamaraw has been named this season’s first PBA Player of the Week after carrying his team to a surprising 2-0 start for the season
The no. 1 pick in the Gilas draft pick put the Elite on his shoulders as they copped their first win via a 94-87 opening-day triumph over Phoenix.
Then, the 6’4” forward registered 25 points to help Blackwater escape past the Meralco Bolts, 86-84, for their second straight win in the Philippine Cup.
His team might have lost twice already in this conference, but the 23-year-old standout still managed to average near double-doubles in the Elite’s losses to Rain or Shine and Talk ‘N Text with 17 points and nine rebounds.
Leo Isaac, Blackwater’s head coach, also feels that in the games to come, teams will start ganging up on his top ward.
“Teams have started taking notice of him. He has been scouted so we have to make adjustments and he also has to improve his craft,” Isaac said in an interview after seeing Belo get limited numbers in their win against NLEX that sent the Road Warriors to three straight losses.
The Elite’s next game on Dec. 21 will be against catapulting GlobalPort, which is currently second in the standings as of now with a 3-1 record.
Belo will also be part of the Christmas Clasico match-ups as their game against skidding Mahindra Floddbusters will open the Dec. 25 affair between the Purefoods Star Hotshots and Baranggay Ginebra San Miguel.
The twinbill will once again be held at the massive Philippine Arena.
And with a wider audience watching, expect Belo to live up to his billing as the best in his class.