Aaron Black has been holding his own against some of the top guards of the league. —PBA IMAGES.
Aaron Black has emerged as one of Meralco’s steadiest performers this Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season and his dad and coach, Norman Black, believes that Bolts are still scratching the surface of the 26-year-old’s potential.
“Certainly proud of him, but he’s still improving,” the older Black told the Inquirer shortly after his charges got the boot from the Governors’ Cup on Friday night.
“You know, Aaron is playing a position he didn’t play before so he’s almost learning on the job as far as how to run the point guard position. But at the same time, he’s done quite well.”
Aaron Black has indeed made a good account of himself in his third year as a pro. After averaging just 7.5 points per game (ppg) in the shortened 2021 season, the crafty guard was able to nearly double his output with 14.25 ppg this season. He also has 5.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game under his name.
“I don’t think there are many young guards in the league who has those types of numbers. So it just goes to show that hard work could really pay off because he is a hard worker,” said Norman.
Meralco coach Norman Black during a semifinals game. –PBA IMAGES
A prolific import back in his playing years, Norman said the growth of Aaron’s confidence is what he is liking the most thus far.
“A lot of people credit me for that but I can’t play for him—I can only put him on the court and he has to perform like every other player in the PBA. In other words, he has to go out there and produce points and rebounds and assists,” he said.
“I don’t see that really changing [soon] especially if he’s given an opportunity to play,” he added.
And the 2020 season’s top rookie may get yet another opportunity to play as he is one of the standouts making up the 28-man pool for the Philippines’ redemption campaign in the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia this coming May.
“I’m glad that I was chosen for the pool, but that doesn’t guarantee that I’m going to make the team,” Aaron said.
“But just know I’ll work hard,” he added. “I’ll make sure when in practice, I’ll give my best. I’ll try to learn as much as I can because I’ll be with the players who I’ve been competing against here [in the PBA].”
The last time the Black donned a Gilas kit was during the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Asia Under-18 Championship in Doha, Qatar. There, he joined the national squad led by Kobe Paras and coached by Jamike Jarin.