ANTIPOLO – Aaron Black felt glad to see one of the best offensive performances of his young PBA career lead to a victory for Meralco.
The 25-year-old tied his career-high in points with 25 on a 64-percent clip from the floor to lead the Bolts’ 90-74 mauling of Converge for their second victory in as many games in the 2022 Philippine Cup, Thursday night.
“Siyempre, good feeling for me na naka-panalo kami today,” he told reporters moments after the match at the Ynares Center here.
The last time Black scored that many ended up as a mere footnote. It all went in vain as Meralco lost to Ginebra in Game Five of the Season 46 Governors’ Cup Finals just last April, a series in which the latter finished in six.
Thus, the elation on the part of the second-generation cager, who said that he’s been putting in more work to his game especially his shooting from deep. During the off-season, Black had been working with Better Basketball of coach Patrick Tancioco.
Black also tapped Miguel Aytona of Aytona Performance to be his strength and conditioning coach while also getting the services of coach Paolo Layug for advanced film review.
That was evident against the FiberXers, where he went 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. He’s only missed two three-pointers in the two games the Bolts have played so far as he went 3-of-4 in their 109-98 win over Phoenix last week.
(C) PBA Images
“I just tried to improve any way I can. Siyempre yung shooting, gusto ko rin i-improve. Medyo mababa yung three-point percentage ko last conference,” said Black, who shot just 27.3-percent from outside in the last Governors’ Cup.
“I try to come to practice every day to work hard, to improve on something, and thankfully, pumapasok ‘yung mga tira.”
Black, though, didn’t make it all about himself as he also deflected the credit to his teammates for helping him get opportunities to succeed.
“I think it’s also a testament to our team and how we move the ball. I did get a lot of open shots today and that’s because of my teammates.”
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