MANILA, Philippines — Sapat na ang naipong eksperyensa ni guard Aaron Black sa PBA D-League at MPBL para makumbinsi ang kanyang amang si Meralco coach Norman Black na kunin siya sa nakaraang PBA Rookie Draft.
Ayon kay Black, napanood niya ang mga laro ni Aaron sa PBA D-League at sa MPBL.
“When I watched him in the D-League and I watched him in the MPBL, I felt he was ready for the pros already,” wika ng one-time PBA Grand Slam champion coach sa kanyang anak. “I think there are certain things he does that I think would be very useful.”
Pinili ng Bolts si Aaron bilang No. 18 overall pick sa second round at pinapirma sa isang one-year contract.
Naglaro ang 6-foot-1 na si Aaron sa PBA D-League para sa AMA Computer at sa MPBL para sa Quezon City Capitals at Zamboanga.
Sa PBA D-League ay nagtala si Aaron ng average na triple-double na 25.2 points, 12.3 rebounds at 10.3 assists.
Inaasahan ni Black na makakatulong si Aaron, kasama ng Ateneo Blue Eagles sa pagkopo sa dalawang UAAP titles, sa backcourt ng Meralco kasama sina Chris Newsome, Base Amer, Anjo Caram at Bong Quinto.
“He’s not gonna be as good in a slowdown game, so hopefully he’s going to help us in that area because we have not been able to run very much in the last few years,” ani Black.
“We’re more of a half court team, a slowdown team, and I would like to turn us more into a running team,’ dagdag pa ng 11-time PBA champion mentor.