Belga draws praises for being 'ultimate professional'

MANILA, Philippines – It looked like a scene taken out from a hit reality TV series. Chot Reyes pulling Beau Belga to a private, one-on-one, ‘lalake-sa-lalake’, heart-to-heart talk telling him he’s the guy to be cut.

This one has to be the toughest decision Reyes has done in his entire coaching career. With only 13 left in the national training pool, one man has to go. (read related story: Reyes bares Gilas 'final 12')

“Beau Belga: the ultimate professional. Tough to tell him. But in the end he understood what’s best for the team. Dakila ka @bigboybelga30,” Reyes posted on his Twitter account shortly after their private meeting in New Zealand.

Belga, whose deceiving speed for his burly size and his long range not to mention his trademark ‘physical play’ became his ticket to the national pool, drew praises from the Philippine basketball community for sacrificing a lot without expecting to be included in the final lineup.