Norman Conquest Black bids adieu after 5 in row

MANILA, Philippines - Sweet revenge over their tormentors six years ago via sweep secured a record UAAP five-peat that served as Norman Black’s lasting legacy to Ateneo’s talent-laden Blue Eagles.

There couldn’t have been a better ending for Black, who capped nine fruitful years as Ateneo coach/consultant with a fifth straight UAAP cage title for the Blue Eagles, now the league’s second most dominant team ever, next only to 1965-71 rulers University of the East.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I don’t know when it will. But it’s something I’m really proud of, particularly proud of the players, who were the ones who put in the hard work,” said Black, flanked by fifth-year player Nico Salva, the Finals MVP, and Kiefer Ravena, the cornerstone for the post-Black ADMU five, Thursday night inside the press room following the Eagles’ title-clinching 65-62 Game 2 win over University of Santo Tomas.

Assuming the chores in 2005, Black had filed a whopping record of 110 wins against 26 losses in eight seasons as head mentor, leading the Blue Eagles to six finals appearances. 

In Season 75, Ateneo had a 12-2 record for No. 1 in the elims, their losses coming from the Tigers (first round) and UE (second round). They outlasted No. 4 La Salle in the Final Four then dispatched the No. 2 seed Tigers in two hard-fought games in the finals to complete their “drive for five.” It was also payback for their 2006 defeat to UST, Black’s lone finals setback in the league.

“If you ask me, this year was a blur. My stint with Ateneo has been a blur. It’s been moving along quickly. I can’t believe it’s been nine years, I consulted for one season. It’s time to move on to other things. The hardest part to do was continue winning; the more you win, the more people want to bring you down, the more you have to bring your A-game every time,” he said.

“It’s been a good run. I’m happy for the players,” he added.

In his words, this is how the multi-titled mentor wants to describe his legacy in the UAAP:

“I want to be remembered for building a foundation for a successful program. When I first came in, obviously I inherited the players and they were good. What we did was over the next few years, we went to the countryside to try to get players to bring in to play for the Ateneo team, players who actually wanted to study at Ateneo,” he said.

“We grew it (foundation) to a point we’re able to bring in good players over the years and become very, very successful because of it. And I think because of it, even if I leave, they will continue to be strong. Next year, maybe a little bit of a problem because some of the key players (Greg Slaughter and Salva, among others) are leaving. But it will be up to the next coach to get out there and start recruiting again,” he added.

The 54-year-old mentor is returning to the PBA, where he previously won a rare grand slam, to call the shots for Talk n Text.

The atmosphere in the pro loop won’t be the same as in the collegiate ranks.

“I’d miss the atmosphere in the UAAP. There’s nothing like it. I coach Ateneo but I’m in-love with ‘Go Uste, Go Uste’ (chant), it’s been ringing in my head all the time,” he said in half-jest, complete with the swirling index finger accompanying the Tigers’ chant. “The atmosphere is unbelievable; it’s nothing like I’ve experienced.”

In the PBA, he would get to cross path again with UST counterpart Pido Jarencio, who serves as assistant coach with Petron. Black and Jarencio engaged in a word war following ADMU’s 83-78 Game 1 victory but have since buried the hatchet with a handshake, a hug, and congratulatory remarks at the end of Game 2.

“The events that occurred in the last few days were unfortunate for the two of us. But it’s something that goes with the competition. Obviously, he’s yellow and I’m blue and we’re trying to fight to win the championship,” Black said.

“At the same time, I predicted at the start of the season that if there’s a team to watch out for, it would be UST...and it came out to be true. They’re a very strong team and they’ll be very strong next year,” he added, stressing that he has “high respects for Jarencio, a very good coach.”

Jarencio is also letting bygones be bygones. “Basketball lang ito, kanya-kanyang ano kung pano ka makakalamang (It’s just part of basketball, employing psy-war or whatever tactics to give you the edge in those situations).”

“Hat’s off to coach Norman, for five years, nakuha niya yung championship. Ako naman, seven years, five Final Four, two finals, one championship. Pwede na dapat ako umexit, eh hindi mission accomplished kaya tuloy nag-iisip pa talaga ako (Hat’s off to coach Norman, winning championships for the last five years. As for me, I should have also made a graceful exit, but mission wasn’t accomplished so now I got to contemplate whether I’ll stay),” said Jarencio, expecting to make a decision by January 2013.