Black Moses: Norman Black always leads his teams to the Promised Land.

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Black Moses

by rick olivares

Thou shalt believe.

It’s not a commandment but in the book of Norman Augustus Black, he asks for your trust.

He knows what he is doing. After all, he’s done this a gazillion times. You can read up on the chapters on San Miguel, Sta. Lucia, Ateneo, and Talk ‘N Text.

Oh, that book isn’t written yet? Well, the final chapters still have to be played out.

Having said that, I am not sure whether to call him Black Moses for his propensity to lead the downtrodden to the Promised Land or the Black Caesar for his conquering new frontiers. After all, his second name is Augustus.

Watching Norman Black being interviewed post-match after his Meralco Bolts dispatched heavily-favored Talk ‘N Text in their semi-finals series to advance to the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, I thought he struggled to hold back the tears.

The last time I saw him this way was in 2008 when he guided the Ateneo Blue Eagles to its first UAAP title in seven years. During the college team’s five-peat, it’s creed was to “Believe”. He sure made believers out of the unbelievers. I laugh at it now when Ateneo alumni called for his head after losing his first game ever as Blue Eagles coach. And there were even those within the MVP Group who thought he didn’t have the stuff.

Well, after he worked his Black Magic, I find it even more laughable that these jokers had the moxie to sidle up to him and ask for a photograph.

Maybe he’s heard the whispers that his methods don’t work. That he won with all-star teams in SMB, Ateneo, and TNT.

We aren’t getting ahead of ourselves here. All the Bolts did was make the finals. Except that this is a big deal.

People conveniently that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Magnolia, as SMB was known prior to its return to the pro league, won only one match in its debut in 1986. Black had to undergo several years of heartache with Ateneo until he finally molded a team to win it all. His way, I will have to stress.

The Bolts could possibly be his best work. Even without a title. Yet.

Five years in the PBA and they’ve only made the semi-finals twice; once under Black’s watch. In this team’s collective history, they have mostly underachieved. The turnover of their roster is like those department stores that thrive on hiring contractual employees. Here today. Gone tomorrow. Journeymen. Discards. Players whose ages aren’t on the calendar any more (although one of them told me that they’re still on the lotto card that doesn’t sound so bad at all).

I heard Jared Dillinger say he felt bad when he was traded by TNT to Meralco. He went from playing with the Jackson Five to being exiled on Main Street. Sure it was an opportunity to be the man elsewhere but he must have felt like Mitch Richmond too when he went from the up and coming Golden State Warriors to the Sacramento Kings that struggled big time until the arrival of a whole new batch of players and he was an afterthought.

I spoke with Ken Bono who thought it was nice to be with a Purefoods team that kept winning. But he didn’t want to be this generation’s Cris Bolado, who with all due respect is a great person. But Jumbo Bolado as he was known by was considered a lucky charm for teams and his teams (save for his college squad, National University) won. He traded a warm spot in the reserves for a chance to play.

I heard Jimmy Alapag say that he shouldn’t have unretired so as not to blemish his incredible career. He says he doesn’t worry about such because that is for others to decide. What matters though, he told me, is that he tries.

There are reclamation projects – not the coach’s term, mind you – like Ryan Buenafe who seemed to battle more his inner turmoil than foes on the court, Rabeh Al-Hussaini who left to play abroad then returned as the humbled prodigal son, and Bryan Faundo and Jonathan Uyloan who both give Meralco the answer to the trivia question of which team has the most number of undrafted players in uniform.

It seemed like the only bright spots were the drafts of Chris Newsome and Baser Amer.

But Meralco fell flat in the season-opening Philippine Cup where they went 1-10. When the Bolts booked the semis in the Commissioner’s Cup, reference was oft made to their first conference finish which Black would dismiss sometimes rather testily. That’s all in the past, he would riposte. Today is today.

All he asks you is to believe.

It’s not a commandment. But it will be.

Fen Emnas thrills to setting for Alyssa Valdez

Fen Emnas thrills to setting for Alyssa Valdez

by rick olivares

Fenela Risha Emnas is enjoying herself right now for the volleyball gods have been kind to her this time around.

Last UAAP season, her Adamson Lady Falcons bombed out and midway their longtime coach, Sherwin Meneses, resigned following a row with team management. Over at the Shakey’s V-League she found herself mostly on the bench with the Laoag Power Smashers. She understands. “Nandoon naman si Ate Chie,” she softly explains. “Ate Chie” is none other than veteran and multi-titled setter Chie Saet.

A turn of a friendly card and now, Fen, as Emnas is called for short, got to start at the setter position after Thai import Natthanicha Jaisaen was unable to take to the court for the Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference debut of the newly-formed Bureau of Customs Transformers versus the University of the Philippines. BOC’s two Thai imports – the other is open spiker Kanjana Kuthaisong – have not been cleared to play pending approval of their paperwork.

In addition, for her chance to start, Emnas is reunited with Meneses who is the squad’s head coach and former teammate Pau Soriano. There are former foes Rizza Mandapat who played for National University and Michiko Castañeda of the University of the Philippines. There are former Arellano Lady Chiefs Jonalyn Ibisa, Andrea Marzan, and Menchie Tubiera; former San Sebastian Lady Stag Jonah Corpuz; ex- Southwestern University Lady Cobra Marlyn Llagoso; former University of Santo Tomas Lady Tiger Lilet Mabbayad; and one Alyssa Valdez.

“Syempre thankful ako naging teammates ko sila and na-reunite ako with Coach Sherwin,” glowed Emnas following the BOC Transformers’ three-set win over powerhouse UP. “Saglit pa lang kami magkakasama pero naging close na kami.”

Emnas finished with 27 excellent sets and following the game, she gushed. “Ganun pala yung feeling na makapag-set para kay Alyssa.” For the past four years, she had a front row seat to the power that Valdez brought to her spikes. Now she was on the other side. “Buti na lang nakapag-practice na kami kasi baka panoorin ko siya sa laro,” joked Emnas.

“Malaking tulong itong liga na ‘to kasi after this UAAP na,” admitted Emnas who will suit up one last time for Adamson. “Inaasahan ko na ma-boost ang confidence ko rito.”

Should Jaisaen be unable to get her clearance in the next two days, Fen will get another opportunity to show what she can do this coming Wednesday, October 5, against her former club, Laoag. “Ah, normal game lang yan. Friends kami lahat,” she dispels any notion of revenge. “Basta ako maglalaro lang. At mag-enjoy mag-set para sa teammates ko. At si Alyssa Valdez.”

Thanks for playing for the Yankees, Tex!

Have always been a fan of Mark Teixeira even when he was playing for the Texas Rangers. I was ecstatic when he came to the Yankees in 2009 that became one of my fave pin-striped squads (they also had Nick Swisher who is one of my faves, CC Sabathia, and AJ Burnett). That incredible season ended with a World Series title. And it was a nerve-wracking battle with Philly for the championship.

UST Golden Tigresses look impressive in V-League debut

UST Golden Tigresses look impressive in V-League debut

by rick olivares

Since their last championship year in the UAAP – and that was in 2010 – the question surrounding the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses is can they put it all together? They have had very good teams since but have mostly underachieved.

This season with a veteran crew back for another go-around and considering they will be losing some key players after this year, the question is, is it this year where they breakthrough and fulfill their promise?

Las Saturday, October 1, this team made an impressive debut in the Reinforced Conference of the Shakey’s V-League where they took down in four sets (25-15, 20-25, 25-13, 25-21) a veteran Philippine Air Force team that most recently made the finals of the Open Conference that kicked off this season.

Both sides fielded an incomplete line-up. Unavailable for PAF were middle hitters Judy Caballejo and Jen Manzano while for UST, Pam Lastimosa, Cherry Rondina, and Christine Francisco were not in the venue.

What was impressive about UST’s win was their much improved serve, floor defense, and the strong presence of key players.

Opponents would previously target EJ Laure because of her suspect receiving. Laure, now on her third playing year, was superb despite having problems with her contact lens. Libero Patricia Rasmo was also solid in her digs. With the improved floor defense, a lot of what the Jet Spikers threw at them they returned.

Their serve had PAF struggling all game long. As a result, it took Joy Cases and Me-Ann Pantino some time to get their game going. And setter Wendy Semana had an uncharacteristic bad game.

As for the strong play… I always thought that Chloe Cortez (12 points) gave some quality minutes last season coming off the bench. In this game, she provided obvious leadership on the court and solid play on both ends. Alex Cabanos despite looking like she gained weight was excellent with 58 excellent sets! Ria Meneses was inconsistent early on but picked up her game eventually (she finished with 15 points with 2 coming from blocks).

However, the player I was really impressed with was sophomore Carla Sandoval (19 points, tied with Laure). The second year player out of King’s Montessori moved to the open position (that will no doubt be occupied by Rondina when she returns) where she pounded PAF. She played with an exuberance that is close to Rondina’s and her play was infectious. She showed that she could hit from different positions including the back row. She was likewise effective in her serve and in defense. She was also vocal on the court playing both offense and defense. The makings of a future team captain?

Sandoval’s play overshadowed Rica Rivera who was mostly kept on the bench. Nevertheless, I expect Rivera to also kick it up another notch.

Coach Kungfu Reyes looks to have a talented squad that could go 11 deep for this coming UAAP. For now, the Golden Tigresses will showcase their wares in this Reinforced Conference.

Carla Sandoval was the best player for UST in its win over PAF.