Beau can also be funny

MANILA, Philippines — Who would have thought that the Rain or Shine power forward and Gilas Pilipinas player Beau Belga, whom you often see in a serious and intense mood on the hard court game after game, could also be funny?

Beau is one of today’s popular athletes who will lend his wit, charm and expertise to The Score with sports analyst and main anchor Mico Halili beginning tomorrow, Oct. 1. The ABS-CBN S+A’s flagship program airs with a new, exciting format and a variety of sports content and experiences to Filipino sports enthusiasts throughout the week, going live on the Kapamilya sports YouTube channel and Facebook at 1 p.m. and airing on primetime TV at 6 o’clock on S+A and A+A HD.

“People always see me playing really strong and I seldom smile in the game because that’s how serious I am with basketball. It’s my passion. But outside the court, I am a different Beau Belga. I’m a jolly person that after each game, ayan na ang kakulitan at hindi alam ng mga tao yan kasi syempre tutok lang sila sa pagnood ng basketball,” Beau told The STAR after the media presentation of the show’s star-studded sports squad. Michele Gumabao, Joe DeVance and Pao Javelona were also present.

In fact, Beau once starred in a sitcom in another network with other top local cagers like Gary David, Willie Miller and Kiefer Ravena, and Ogie Alcasid. That stint had given him the opportunity to try interests outside his work. 

This time, Beau is ready to be in front of the cameras not for a tough game but for the latest sports news and analysis, fun features and discussions.

“I’ve been wanting to give analysis in basketball even before and now is the chance. I guess by the time players retire, they will still talk about basketball. ‘Yung love for basketball hindi mawawala at hahanap-hanapin mo pa rin ‘yun.”

Beau looks forward to the day when he gets to sit down inside the arena not just to watch games at the PBA, UAAP or NCAA but also act as one of the commentators.

For now, The Score makes Beau excited of what to feature in the coming days. 

“Hindi ako tumatanggi sa blessings, I will do whatever is asked of me as long as I know I can do well. Another sitcom? Why not (laughs) but no drama for me ‘di ko kaya ‘yun.”

But it doesn’t mean Beau is not fond of watching teleseryes. He recalled having watched a lot of ABS-CBN soaps when he was younger.

“I still do these days whenever I’m free and I really admire Coco (Martin) for taking in actors, stuntmen who do not have work. For that, I won’t really mind if Ang Probinsyano will last five or seven more years.”

Meanwhile, The Score will also have special segments with Victor Anastacio. Sports analysts will also be invited to talk about the hottest issues in the world of sports. Gretchen Ho, Allan Caidic, Jett Manuel, Jai Reyes, L.A. Tenorio and Jimmy Alapag will also join in the light and amusing conversations. 

The Score was first launched in 2014 during the reformat of the channel into ABS-CBN Sports + Action. Mico takes the main anchor role after its main original host TJ Manotoc was assigned as North America bureau chief of ABS-CBN News.