(PBA image)
With Meralco staring at the edge of elimination, Aaron Black picked the perfect moment to remind everyone why he remains a steadying force for the Bolts.
Backed into a corner in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals, Meralco leaned on Black’s timely surge to pull away from Rain or Shine, 96-79, on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and keep its semifinal hopes alive.
Black set the tone early, attacking gaps, knocking down shots when needed, and orchestrating the offense with poise as the Bolts seized control and never looked back. The shifty guard finished with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a pair of triples, numbers that only hinted at his broader impact on both ends of the floor.
“I really try to improve on whatever I can improve on and be a threat on the floor,” said Black. “When you’re not a threat, teams can easily help off you and use it against your team.”
More than the scoring, Black emphasized his role as a floor general, focusing on tempo, communication, and defensive intensity as Meralco dictated the flow of the game.
“For me, I just try to set up the offense and set the tone on both ends as a point guard. I also want to communicate what we need to my teammates,” he added.
The Ateneo product’s presence allowed Meralco to breathe, extending the series to a do-or-die rubber match. But Black is well aware that the job is far from finished.
“We know we’ll face an even tougher team on Monday in a do-or-die, so we just have to be prepared for that,” he said.
Game 3 awaits at the same venue, with everything on the line.
