SMART CLARK GIGA CITY--The "One Big Fight" mentality lives on inside the PBA bubble.
Meralco coach Norman Black and TNT assistant mentor Sandy Arespacochaga on Sunday night headed a mini-reunion of former Ateneo standouts participating in the Philippine Cup here.
Black treated the group with the delectable ice cream at the Mequeni Lounge inside Quest Hotel as they took a trip down memory lane about their days in Katipunan.
"It was a great feeling to have a reunion with the former Blue Eagles. We see each other around the hotel everyday but it was nice to get everyone for a photo op," said Black, who steered Ateneo to five straight titles from 2008 to 2012.
Among those present were NLEX's Kiefer Ravena and Kris Porter, TNT's Poy Erram, Phoenix's Justin Chua, JC Intal, assistant coach Jamike Jarin and team manager Paolo Bugia, Meralco's Chris Newsome, Nico Salva, Aaron Black and team manager Paolo Trillo, and Rain or Shine's Adrian Wong and Vince Tolentino.
Also in attendance were NorthPort's Nico Elorde, Blackwater's Frank Golla and Terrafirma's Juami Tiongson in the gathering arrange by Arespacochaga.
Ginebra's LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar and Art Dela Cruz along with San Miguel's Von Pessumal also just a few moments after the Beermen's 81-66 win over the Kings at the AUF Arena.
"I thank coach Sandy for organizing the ice cream get together. The Ateneo family is quite strong in the bubble," added Black.
Reunions have been quite celebrated in the bubble, with San Miguel coach Leo Austria leading the get-together of former Adamson standouts Jericho Cruz (NLEX), Don Trollano (Blackwater), Rodney Brondial (Alaska) and Jansen Rios (Phoenix).
Ginebra assistant coach Olsen Racela, who also serves as head coach of FEU, celebrated his 50th birthday with ex-Tamaraws Arvin Tolentino (Ginebra), Barkley Eboña (Alaska), Richard Escoto (Blackwater) and Wendell Comboy (San Miguel).