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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Meralco title defeats, own heartbreak vs Ginebra motivates Aaron Black

Meralco title defeats, own heartbreak vs Ginebra motivates Aaron Black

Published Apr 3, 2022 09:35 pm

Photo from PBA

Meralco guard Aaron Black may be in his sophomore season, but he probably knows how deep it was losing to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel three times in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.

“Pinanood ko lahat yun,” said the Bolts cager who witnessed his dad and coach Norman Black fall short to Ginebra in the 2016, 2017 and 2019 finale of the reinforced tournament as a spectator.

The younger Black may have seen how his old man endured the pain of those shortcomings, something he and the Bolts hope would not experience this time as they face Ginebra for the fourth time for the championship of the same conference.

“Siyempre gusto namin manalo,” Black said. “We want to beat Ginebra. They are a very good team and they also have the advantage of the fans.

“I think if we can really dig in, make sure we watch the tape, learn how to defend their plays and we can start there and let our offense come to us. I’m sure our coach will make some adjustments.”

READ: Ginebra-Meralco IV: Same old story or different ending?

Also motivating the second-year guard is his own experience against Ginebra, albeit in a non-finals series back in his maiden PBA campaign.

His impressive rookie year in 2020 ended in heartbreak when Ginebra took the fifth game of their Philippine Cup semifinal series in Clark, Pampanga on a corner three-pointer by Scottie Thompson in the final second.

It was a tough pill to swallow for Meralco, which held the lead in the second half until Ginebra got back in the final period.

“Meralco has a lot of tough series and tough moments against Ginebra so it was tough,” he said. “That was my rookie year, especially in the bubble and to go home like that.

“But at the same time, we use that as motivation. Of course, everyone on the team remembers that so hopefully we take that as a motivation for the coming series.”

Black was one of the reasons why Meralco was able to take Game 5 over Magnolia Pambansang Manok in their semifinal series, scoring 16 points while filling in for the injured Chris Banchero.

His play, regardless if Banchero comes back in better shape, will also be crucial in the title chances of the Bolts.

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