ALLAN THE MAN

Rain or Shine center Beau Belga has been invited to join the practice sessions of the Philippine national men’s basketball team as part of a PBA selection to help the squad train for the FIBA Asia Championship.

But for Elasto Painters co-owner Raymond Yu, the burly center deserves a shot to be considered for the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team that will compete in the region’s top basketball competition.

San Mig Coffee superstar James Yap came out with guns blazing against Rain or Shine Wednesday night, scoring 15 points in the first quarter. He easily broke his tournament high total by the third quarter, and it seemed no one could stop him.

But Elasto Painters defensive specialist Jireh Ibañes was able to get into Yap’s head, and the two-time Most Valuable Player ended up getting ejected. All Yap could do was watch as the Mixers collapsed and yielded to Rain or Shine, 80-79.