Female coach cracks PBA

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Mau Belen is ready for the challenge as she spearheads TNT’s campaign in the coming PBA 3x3 and makes history as the first female mentor in Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

“I’m super excited, humbled and honored,” Belen told The STAR yesterday.

Belen, 29, first joined the Tropang Giga early this year as part of coach Chot Reyes’ staff in the centerpiece 5-on-5 play. She was primarily tasked with video coordination, scouting reports and stats in Reyes’ think tank. Now, she assumes the bigger task of coaching Jeremiah Gray, Almond Vosotros, Samboy de Leon and Lervin Flores in the PBA 3x3 inaugurals set to blast off Nov. 20.

“Yung game ng 3x3 is now evolving and developing all around the world, tapos first time pa nasama last Olympics so the future is bright for this sport, and I’m happy that the PBA took this route,” she said.

Belen, who spent four years coaching in Dubai before joining TNT, looks forward to continuing learning in this new journey.

“To learn the sport better,“ she said of her expectations. “I’ve had few chances to play and organize 3x3 in the past but this coaching experience is very different and I want to make sure to grow my knowledge and continue the mission of representing women in sports.”

As a lady coach, she admitted there’s added pressure to live up to expectations.

“Of course there is. I would lie to you if I say no. But I’ve always heard Coach Chot say that pressure is a privilege and it’s up to you how to translate that into a driving force to make you better,” she said.

Belen’s troops are going to the half-court battles on the heels of the Tropang Giga’s coronation as Philippine Cup kingpins.

Given the short time to train and get accustomed to the fast-paced game of three-a-side, the TNT 3x3 mentor is taking it one step at a time.

“Honestly, with the short preparation that we are given plus all the players don’t have much experience playing an organized 3x3 tournament, we will have to wait and see how our team will progress,” she said. “But I’m blessed to have my TNT co-coaches to help me in this journey.”