Norman Black’ shares La Salle’s Mike Phillips and Ateneo's Kymani Ladi's strengths as they make it to the Gilas SEA Games pool.
It is no longer surprising that Norman Black infused youth into the Gilas Pilipinas squad set to see action in the Southeast Asian Games.
After all, it is a common practice for the Philippine contingent to the regional multi-sport spectacle, where the country is the undisputed basketball king.
For Black, La Salle’s Mike Phillips and Ateneo’s Kymani Ladi's inclusion in the SEAG roster will not only give the team a youthful spark but could also help the duo realize their potential in cracking the seniors’ team.
“Well, one, I wanted some youth in the team. I wanted guys who could possibly be elevated back to the men's team in the future. I thought they had potential,” Black said.
[ALSO READ: One-and-done Kymani Ladi out to make most of short time with Ateneo in UAAP Season 88]
For Black, Phillips and Ladi bring a lot to the table for a team laced with veterans like Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, Ray Parks, Matthew Wright, Thirdy Ravena and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
“Phillips gives us a guy who can play big, can rebound the basketball, can play defense for us,” Black said.
“Ladi's a good shooter, so he can help us with our perimeter game and making three-point shots from the outside. Plus, he has size; he's about 6-foot-8.”
[ALSO READ: Mike Phillips excited for possible Gilas team-up with this player — find out who]
When it comes to eyeing talent, one can count on the 11-time PBA and five-time UAAP champion coach.
Now, it is up to Phillips and Ladi to make a prophet out of Black.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.