By JONAS TERRADO
Meralco guard Aaron Black made history after bagging the PBA Philippine Cup’s Outstanding Rookie honors in Sunday’s Special Awards Night.
Black prevailed over closest pursuers Arvin Tolentino of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Barkley Ebona of Alaska, Roosevelt Adams of Terrafirma and Aris Dionisio of Magnolia to earn the distinction as the best rookie of the Philippine Cup bubble.
The son of Bolts coach Norman Black received 2,002 points from stats and votes from the media, players and the PBA Commissioner’s Office to become the lowest draft pick ever to bag the top award for first-year players.
Black was the 18th pick of the Bolts in the 2019 PBA Draft. Larry Fonacier won the Rookie of the Year in the 2005-06 season after being selected 14th overall by Red Bull Barako.
Tolentino placed second with 1,406, Ebona came in third (1,246), Adams placed fourth (1,045) while Dionisio finished last (800).
The 23-year-old Black proved that he’s more than just the coach’s son, playing a key part in the Bolts’ first-ever semifinal stint in the Philippine Cup.
He averaged 6.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 18 games for the Bolts. The former Ateneo guard has his biggest contribution in the quarterfinals when Meralco ousted five-time Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer despite needing to win twice.
