MVP tells Norman to stay put at Ateneo

MANILA, Philippines - Norman Black will finish his final term as head coach of five-peat-seeking Ateneo Blue Eagles despite the withdrawal of support for the school of business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, his boss at PLDT.

Black, who is set to relinquish his post at the ADMU bench after Season 75 to take the helm for Talk n Text in the PBA, initially thought about quitting as early as now in the wake of Pangilinan’s parting of ways with Ateneo.

But the PLDT honcho, himself, told the multi-titled coach to stay on until the current season is over.

“His blanket pullout of support from Ateneo put me in a difficult situation. For nine years, I’ve been employed by PLDT. So when he pulled out, I also felt obligated to do the same. He’s been loyal and good to me all these years. Since I work for him, I felt it was my responsibility to do it,” said Black.

The grand slam PBA champion mentor met with MVP in Hong Kong yesterday and decided to heed the latter’s advice.

“We’ll finish what we started,” said Black, looking to steer the Blue Eagles to a fifth straight championship.

“Despite his differences with the school, he feels the team shouldn’t suffer. I’m quite happy he said that because I also don’t want to pull out of my last few games in Ateneo. His heart is still with the team and the players. He’ll continue to support the team until the end of the season,” he added.

The Blue Eagles topped the elims with a 12-2 card and are currently waiting for their opponent in the Final Four. Far Eastern and La Salle will dispute the No. 4 berth today.

Pangilinan cut ties with the Jesuit school due to clashing views on mining and the Reproductive Health bill.

Ateneo, meanwhile, thanked Pangilinan for allowing Black to finish the season.

“Earlier today, Mr Norman Black told me that in view of recent events, he informed MVP of his intention to step down as head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. MVP, however, asked him to continue coaching the Blue Eagles until the end of the current season. We are grateful to MVP for this gesture,”  Ateneo president Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ, said in a statement.

“Let us continue to support our athletes,” he added.