Meralco head coach Norman Black felt proud to see Jamike Jarin get his PBA break, saying that the seasoned mentor deserves it given his track record.
The cage legend on Sunday night faced his long-time deputy for the first time since parting ways several years ago, when the Bolts took on Phoenix Super LPG to close out their Governors’ Cup elimination round campaign.
His wards won but the Grand Slam-winning bench tactician was nonetheless happy to have battled against Jarin, who’s been serving as the Fuel Masters’ interim head coach since Topex Robinson’s departure last January.
“I’m happy for him that he’s getting his opportunity to be a head coach in the PBA,” said Black after the match at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Jarin established himself as one of the best coaches in the amateurs following his success in both the high school and collegiate ranks,
Before steering San Beda back to the top of NCAA men’s basketball in 2016, he sparked and sustained Ateneo High School’s resurgence in the UAAP juniors that saw the Blue Eaglets win eight championships.
Jarin was very much involved with Ateneo basketball. The fiery coach also served as an assistant to the Blue Eagles program, and would become the lead deputy of Black that saw them lead the school to a rare five-peat.
Their partnership would yield another gold but on the biggest stage when Talk N Text ruled the 2013 Philippine Cup at the expense of Rain or Shine.
It would, however, be their last championship together. Three years later, Jarin left the MVP Group to take National University’s head coaching job.
“Coach and I have a long history, I guess. Being together for about 13 years, maybe? Quite a while,” said Black, who’s been coaching for 38 years.
Fast forward to 2023 and both coaches crossed paths anew, and this time they figured in a head-to-head coaching battle.
Black came out triumphant, but not before surviving the bevy of defensive strategies Jarin threw his way that made it a long night for Meralco.
“It was an interesting game mainly because Coach Jamike threw everything at us tonight — 1-3-1, to 2-3, to switching zones, from man to zone, zone to man. He gave us just about everything we could handle tonight,” he said.
Then again, it felt nice for the decorated coach to go up against a former assistant, someone he shared tons of success with.
“He’s been successful at just about every level, so that’s only fitting that he should get a shot at the PBA,” Black said.
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
