THE Norman Black era in Meralco has ended.
The Bolts yesterday officially made some big moves in their bid to finally win it all, naming Luigi Trillo as the team’s new coach, replacing Black, and tapping Serbian Nenad Vucinic as active consultant.
Black will be Meralco’s new team consultant vice Vucinic.
“The Meralco Bolts announce today that after nine fruitful years, head coach Norman Black will vacate his post to take on a new role as team consultant,” the team said in a statement yesterday.
“The team appoints Nenad Vucinic as active consultant and Luigi Trillo as head coach to build on coach Norman Black’s accomplishments and usher in a new era for the team.”
Black, 65, thanked the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned ball club for the nine seasons he spent with the squad and said he is more than willing to help Meralco get over the hump in whatever capacity.
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Meralco management and the MVP group for supporting myself and the Bolts,” Black said. “In addition, I wish to thank the players and my coaching staff for their hard work and positive attitudes in their efforts to make the team successful over the years.
“I now look forward to helping the team in my capacity as team consultant in our continued quest to bring a championship to the Meralco franchise,” he added.
With Black calling the shots, the Bolts reached the semifinals of six of the last seven conferences and advanced to the finals in four editions of the Governors’ Cup.
“We thank coach Norman for his unwavering commitment and the indelible mark he has left on the organization,” team manager Paolo Trillo said. “We are also grateful to have coach Nenad and coach Luigi taking on new roles in leading the Bolts.”
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine has traded yesterday wingman Mike Nieto to Converge in exchange for the FiberXers’ second round picks in the PBA’s 49th and 50th seasons.
