Norman Black admits surprise with Jared Dillinger’s decision to go to Ginebra

Meralco head coach Norman Black could not help shaking his head after hearing the news that broke out on Friday afternoon, that Jared Dillinger has left the Bolts and will head to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Dillinger joined their Governors’ Cup rivals after the Bolts dropped him to the unrestricted free agent list. He ends his six-year stay with Meralco and with the MVP Group, since he started his career with TNT in 2008.

“I was a little bit shocked when I heard today that he has signed with Ginebra,” said the decorated mentor moments after Meralco beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 103-98, in 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup action Friday night. “But it’s his prerogative.”

Black also didn’t hide his disappointment with Dillinger, since the team felt like the Fil-Am guard did not honor their gentlemen’s agreement. Dillinger did not even inform the Bolts of his decision to go over to the Gin Kings.

“It’s just on our point-of-view and the fact that we talked to him and he didn’t actually talk to us before he signed with Ginebra, that’s where the disappointment comes in,” admitted Black. “But like I said, it’s his choice.”

Black, who has been chief mentor for the Bolts since 2014, added that they only learned of the move when Barangay Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua called his Meralco counterpart Al Panlilio.

“Well from the story I heard, it was actually Alfrancis Chua who called Al Panlilio and then we got in touch with JD to find out what’s going on. And that’s the only time we heard that he has signed with Ginebra.”

However, Black isn’t going to cry over spilled milk. He and the team are moving on, and he will now be honing some of the younger Orangemen to take the spot left by Dillinger, who last played for the Bolts in the 2019 Philippine Cup.

“JD has probably played less than fifty percent of the games in the last three or four years. But we’ve been dedicated to him. But it’s okay, it’s fine. Bong Quinto will have his opportunity to develop and some of the other young kids,” he said.

“So we’ll just move on.”