Meralco Bolts avoided getting into a three-game skid thanks to Aaron Black
The Meralco Bolts after losing back-to-back games tallied a win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 77-73, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Aaron Black led the charge scoring 20 points along with six assists and four rebounds.
This was the game that the Bolts missed head coach Norman Black calling the shots from the sideline after taking a leave to be at the side of his ailing mother. His son, Aaron, took it upon himself to carry the team against the suffocating defense of the Elasto Painters and used some extra motivation during the win.
“First of all, my grandmother. She is sick right now and that is why my dad is not here. That’s big for me,” said Black during the post-game press conference. “Also, my teammates- they encouraged me a lot after the last game. They knew I really struggled. In practice, sinasabihan nila ako to keep shooting- just keep working. In the PBA, the games are one after another so you can’t really get down on yourself. You got to buckle up and just go to the next game.”
Assistant coach Luigi Trillo was the acting head coach for this game, who Black credited for giving the team an extra push after suffering losses against the NLEX Road Warriors and Blackwater Bossing.
“Si Coach Luigi kasi very positve guy- he knew that I was struggling the last few games,” commended Black. “He took over and he really encouraged us. In practice, he makes it a point na maging positive always para we don’t get down ourselves.”
The Bolts are now 4-3 and are tied with the NLEX Road Warriors and Magnolia Chicken Timpados Hotshots in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup.
