Belano to face acid test as new  CIT-U Wildcats coach in Tuburan

CEBU, Philippines — Felix “Donbel” Belano, Jr. will face his first acid test as the new head coach of  the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats in the forthcoming 1st Mayor Aljun Diamante Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament set from May 24 to June 1 in Tuburan, Cebu.

CIT-U is one of the six Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) teams seeing action in the week-long tilt that dangles a total of P360,000 in cash prize.

The Wildcats are in Bracket B together with the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars.

Slugging it out in Bracket A are the reigning CESAFI Grand Slam champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, and Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs.

Belano, a two-time champion during his nine-year stint in the PBA where he donned the jerseys of Sta. Lucia Realtors, Talk ‘N Txt Phone Pals, and Barako Bull Energy Boosters, is not new to coaching in Cebu’s premier inter-school athletic league.

The pride of Tagum, Davao del Norte guided the UV Green Lancers to the CESAFI crown in 2013 during his four years of calling the shots for his alma mater from 2011 to 2014.

Now, the 48-year-old Belano embarks on a new chapter of his career with the Wildcats.

“Akoa ipasalig sa CIT-U community ang new culture and new identity sa team,” said Belano, who gained distinction as the first and only player in Philippine basketball history to record a quadruple-double in a game when he collected 17 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and 10 steals while suiting up for the Davao Eagles against the Willie Miller-led Nueva Ecija Patriots in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) on August 14, 1999 at the Araullo Gym in Cabanatuan City.

“Also, we are teaching the players to become champions inside and outside the court. Emphasizing first the importance of team mentality, then adapting the attitude of cohesiveness and grit every game, valuing hard work by being diligent in practices to get better, and treating each other as a family by showing love and support for one another. Lastly, players must be a role model in their respective communities by showing sportsmanship at all times,” Belano added.

Even though they are still in the process of rebuilding their team, Belano assured that the Wildcats will fight to the best of their ability in the upcoming Tuburan cage wars wherein the champion will take home P120,000.

“We will give our best every game. We hope to show our new system and give the people of Tuburan an exciting and entertaining team to watch,” said Belano, the 1996 All-Star MVP and a multiple champion with the Green Lancers when the CESAFI was still known as the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (CAAA) three decades ago.