Belga to stay as Elasto Painter, agrees to 3-year max deal

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine and Beau Belga have finally agreed in principle to a three-year maximum deal extension on Friday.

After weeks of negotiations, Belga finally got his wish.

"Okay na, pipirma na kami. Tumaas yung offer. Ginawa nang maximum (contract)," Belga's agent Danny Espiritu told Philstar.com.

Belga, 26, will receive the maximum salary of Php420,000 a month under the latest approved salary cap in the next three years.

This came after the burly big man stock skyrocketed with a fine showing this season that earned him his first PBA All-Star selection and eventually the 13th man in the Gilas Pilipinas that captured the silver medal in the recent FIBA Asia Men's Championship.

Three teams outside Rain or Shine expressed interest in getting the services of Belga after his contract expired last month.

But Guiao wanted to keep the 6-5 burly enforcer.

"If it's a question of wanting, definitely I want Beau to stay. But if it's a question of money, eh wala na akong magagawa dun," Guiao told reporters after Rain or Shine's exit in the semifinals.

The feeling was mutual after all.

"Sinabi ko naman sa kanila na wala sa isip ko ang magpa-trade. Saka lang papasok yung option na yun kapag hindi nagkasundo sa kontrata," Belga told Philstar.com after he learned of the revised offer from Rain or Shine.

In the earlier contract extension dangled by the Elasto Painters, Belga will only receive the maximum salary on the third year.

The revised offer came after Belga had a heart-to-heart talk with Guiao and was sealed with a follow-up meeting between Espiritu and the mercurial coach.

"Hindi ko pa nakikita yung bagong kontrata pero sabi naman ni boss Danny na okay na, okay na rin sa akin. Kasi gusto ko naman talaga mag-stay," Belga added.