Black looking at Newsome for Meralco starting point guard

Meralco forward Chris Newsome. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Norman Black need not look far for his new starting point guard after Meralco traded away Baser Amer to Blackwater.

The multi-titled head coach seems to favor handing over the responsibility to versatile wingman Chris Newsome as the Bolts head into the 2021 PBA season.

“I think Newsome can be a good point guard since we always get the ball in his hands, plus he’s our leader in assist last conference,” said Black, as per PBA.ph.

Despite not being a true point guard, Newsome was given the role of primary ball-handler for the Bolts with the 6-foot-2 wing averaging 14.5 points and 4.7 assists a game, two marks that were tops for his team in the Philippine Cup.

Still, letting go of Amer was a tough decision for Black who wanted to beef up his front court with the addition of versatile power forward Mac Belo.

Amer was the team’s starting point guard since 2016 but Black felt that the front court needed priority.

“We’ve been together for five years and we’ve made a good run together so it’s really an emotional moment for me trading him,” said Black.

“On the other hand, we want to upgrade our front court and unload extra players in the backcourt because we have a lot of point guards in the team.”