Belga inks contract extension

RAIN or Shine big man Beau Belga has signed a one-year extension deal with the Elasto Painters on Thursday, December 14.

The veteran slotman out of Philippine Christian University inked a fresh contract in the presence of Rain or Shine team governor Atty. Mamerto Mondragon, team manager Jireh Ibanes and Belga’s agent Danny Espiritu.

LOYALTY COUNTS Veteran player Beau Belga (right) signs a new contract with Rain or Shine in the Philippine Basketball Association. PBA IMAGE

The Elasto Painters have made significant changes in their roster over the last three years, acquiring young players to shore up the various spots in the team.

Belga, now 37, is one of the three senior players at Rain or Shine, along with the 42-year-old James Yap and 38-year-old Gabe Norwood, who is the longest-staying member of the team since emerging as the franchise’s top overall pick in the 2008 PBA Rookie Draft.

Belga continues to provide quality minutes for the team under coach Yeng Guiao as seen in his per-game averages of 6.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the ongoing 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The Gubat, Sorsogon native also serves as one of Guiao’s extensions in mentoring the team’s younger players like Keith Datu and Luis Villegas, who continues to recover from a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).