After missing the Blue Eagles’ last five games, Aaron Black made his return Wednesday afternoon as Ateneo faced the UE Red Warriors. In 13 minutes of game time, the 19 year old had four points, four rebounds, three assists, and an emphatic block of Mark Olayon with 7:47 remaining in the game.
Black admitted that he was frustrated as he watched his team lose three of their last five games.
“It was very frustrating. I have never seen myself so intense on the bench,” he said.
To add to his frustrations, his supposed two-week recovery turned into a month as his left foot injury took too long to heal. Moreover, he struggled to recover his strength during the ordeal.
“It was more of a half-healing process, I guess,” he shared. “We needed more than two weeks, first of all, for strengthening, and then getting back in shape. I only started practicing last week.”
“[Right now] I feel good. I just need to get back more into playing shape. I don’t think I’m there yet but my foot feels fine.”
The Blue Eagles ended up snapping its two-game funk with Ateneo forcing its pace on the Red Warriors. And for the recovering Black, he just wanted to win this one for his father coach Norman Black and his head coach Tab Baldwin.
“I always wanna win one for my dad but today was also about winning for coach Tab and the team.”
“We lost two in a row and we wanted to get back to our winning ways,” he closed.
