By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Just before the PBA called it off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Meralco Bolts completed their 15-man roster for the current season, adding in Aaron Black and Michael Canete.
With a father-and-son connection in the team, head coach Norman Black said that it was a collective decision to pick Aaron, adding that he is a versatile guard who has offensive prowess and has the upper body strength to defend forwards.
Also, one big factor was Aaron’s stint with the Ateneo Blue Eagles under the helm of Gilas’ program director, coach Tab Baldwin.
The Meralco coaching staff is expecting Aaron to impart what coach Baldwin has taught him, hoping that he can exact professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Canete, a forward who just finished his stint in the MPBL with the Bacoor City Strikers, proved that he belonged to this era’s basketball as a stretch four.
A big man with the ability to knock down jumpers from the perimeter up to the rainbow country, Canete’s addition will be vital to Meralco as a team who wants to improve their percentage in shooting.
The Bolts are looking to prepare for the resume of games after the management has decided to suspend basketball operations for everyone’s safety.