Belga scolds self for ‘stupid mistakes,’ regrets Abueva foul in Game 5

MANILA, Philippines – Beau Belga was the last player to come out of the Rain or Shine locker room following a tough 86-78 setback Sunday, May 15 in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.

He walked gingerly towards the media where he took a few moments before speaking. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound slot man, looking as forlorn as can be, was so disappointed and frustrated with himself that he had no words for much else except to scold and curse himself for the way he played.

(HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 5: Alaska vs Rain or Shine)

“Ako bine-blame ko yung sarili ko today. Too much stupidity lang naman yun (I blame myself today. It’s just too much stupidity),” he rued with heavy sighs between sentences.

“Ako inaano ko yung sarili ko in today’s game. Sobrang daming kalokohan, sobrang daming stupid mistakes and lumamang kami ng third quarter. Doon sa nangyari sa amin ni Calvin, yun yung naging turning point,” he explained.

(I’m blaming myself for today’s game. I made so many unnecessary errors, so many stupid mistakes and we were already leading in the third quarter. What happened with myself and Calvin became the turning point.)

“Ako pinagsisisihan ko yun. Hindi natin alam e, kung hindi ko ginawa yun baka sakaling champion na kami.” (I regret that. We never know, if I hadn’t done that we might already be champions now.)

Belga was whistled for that deliberate foul as Abueva drove to the basket at the 5:10 mark of the third period with Rain or Shine up 53-46. It cost the Painters two free throws, a possession, and, 11 seconds later, a big 3-pointer from RJ Jazul for the full 5-point swing. Alaska scored 3 more points later on to retake the lead.

That foul was Belga’s 5th and he was immediately subbed out. As Belga reasoned with his teammates on the sidelines, guard Chris Tiu could be seen motioning for Belga to play smart. Jireh Ibañes also talked to him on the bench. Head coach Yeng Guiao was livid with him as well at that point.

“I was not expecting they would call a deliberate foul on my part because I was just fouling Calvin. Hindi ko naman sinaktan e. Talagang ako going for the ball (I did not hurt him. I was really going for the ball),” he said. “Too many mistakes on my part.”

Belga ultimately fouled out with 4:08 left in the fourth just as Rain or Shine was within 69-74. The Painters failed to come back down the stretch and after leading the series 3-0, they’ve allowed the Aces to make it 3-2.

“He made a foul which was not necessary and we are in penalty. We still had a chance to win the game when he had his 6th foul,” Guiao said of Belga.

“It’s good to him to take responsibility for that because I really emphasized to him that it was a mental mistake he made at that point and it could have been a factor for us losing the game.”

(IN VINES: Alaska lives to fight another day after Game 5 win)

Belga finished with 4 points on two-of-7 field goals in over 18 minutes. He had two rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He missed both his attempts from downtown and not once went to the free throw line.

“Talagang sabi ko sa sarili ko ‘ang bobo mo, Belga. T*****a ka.’ Yun lang masasabi ko sa sarili ko. Ako talaga sobrang frustrated ako today,” he said. (I really told myself, ‘you’re so stupid, Belga. *Expletive* you. That’s all I can say about myself. I’m very frustrated today.)

Belga said come Game 6 he would aim to lessen his mistakes, focus on the game, and find his offense.

“Naba-blanko ko as of now,” he admitted. “Talagang iche-cherish ko ‘tong kalokohan, ‘tong mistake na ‘to. Buong gabi. Hindi ako makakatulog sa nangyari sa akin.” (My mind is blank as of now. I will really cherish this stupidity, this mistake. All night. I won’t be able to sleep because of this.) – Rappler.com