San Beda University head coach Yuri Escueta gets to work with someone who has been a father to him once again.
The Red Lions have tapped Norman Black to be their team consultant starting with NCAA Season 99.
This will mark Black’s return to the collegiate scene after 11 years — or since steering Ateneo de Manila University to a ‘five-peat’ in the UAAP.
After Black attended his first practice on Tuesday, Escueta could not help but look back on the time when he was a student-athlete in Ateneo.
It was Black who made a gamble on him, bringing him to Ateneo’s Glory Be before promoting him to the A-Team.
“He is the inspiration behind my decision to pursue coaching instead of playing in the PBA. Experiencing his influence on us when we were players motivated me to emulate him. He wasn’t just a mentor to us on the court but also imparted lessons beyond it,” shared Escueta, who also got to work with Black in Gilas during the Manama window of the Qualifiers.
“Thanks to Boss MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan), Coach Norman will bring a wealth of experience and a winning culture to our program.”
Black will join Boyet Fernandez, Jenkin Mesina, Alex Angeles, Andre Santos, and Francis Cruz in Escueta’s staff.
Besides being a consultant to the team, Black will also help in developing the Red Lions’ frontline along with Mesina.
“Coach Norman brings a wealth of championship experience and basketball wisdom to our team. Moreover, he can contribute to the training of our bigs,” said Red Lions team manager Jude Roque as Black will work on Clifford Jopia, Damie Cuntapay, Yukien Andrada, Bismarck Lina, and Joe Celso.
“We are thrilled to have him on our coaching staff.”
In his debut season with San Beda, Escueta steered the Red Lions to a fourth-place finish.
Black will also remain as team consultant to Meralco.
