Belga remains grounded due to vertigo

Rain or Shine will continue to miss Beau Belga’s services for at least another month as the big man deals with vertigo.

Belga has not suited up for the Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup and will continue to do so until he gets the green light from his doctor.

“My doctor told me I need at least a month more (before my return). But so far, I have regained my balance and I can walk normally,” Belga said after Rain or Shine scored its first win in the season-ending conference at the expense of NorthPort, 113-96, last Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 38-year-old burly forward shared that he’s currently taking medication to address his health condition.

Belga, however, wasn’t sure how he got vertigo. He first experienced it while on vacation.

“I don’t know how but actually I have been feeling for quite some time. Whenever I get up after bowing or bending down, I feel dizzy. Not really that spinning sensation (but kind of losing my balance),” Belga said.

“It happened suddenly when I was on an outing. I went to the ER and that’s where they discovered my condition. So far, I’m OK. I’m taking medication. The doctor said I can do light workouts until I gradually regain my balance.”

The Rain or Shine veteran admitted it was an alarming ordeal.

“It’s scary because you don’t know when it will act up. But so far so good. I just need time to recover,” he said.

Belga’s absence compounded the huge donut hole in the Elasto Painters’ frontline with center Keith Datu suffering a right calf injury in their debut game and Luis Villegas still recovering from a knee injury.

With positive progress in his condition, Belga is confident he’ll be back in top form to help the suddenly vertically-challenged Rain or Shine.

“Before I was out of balance, puro pakanan ‘yung (panimbang ko). Medyo nahihilo ka pa. Right now, it’s more on recovery and correcting my balance because basketball is all about balance and shifting movement,” he said.

“Good thing our PTs (physical therapists) are taking good care of me. Hopefully, I’ll recover soon,” Belga added.