MANILA, Philippines – Norman Black is still on board.

In a memo addressed to the Ateneo community on Tuesday, September 25, Ateneo President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ said that Black was staying on as head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, despite Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP)’s “complete and final disengagement” from the university.

“Mr. Norman Black told me that in view of recent events, he informed MVP of his intention to step down as head coach,” Villarin said in the memo.

Pangilinan on Friday, September 21, announced that he would cut ties with Ateneo, citing the university’s stand on several contentious issues, including the Reproductive Health bill and mining.

But it was Pangilinan who urged Black to stay until the end of the ongoing University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament, Villarin’s memo noted. “We are grateful to MVP for this gesture,” Villarin noted in the memo.

Pangilinan is known to be a generous supporter of the university’s endeavors, the basketball program included. Black is currently the team consultant of the Pangilinan-owned Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. 

Earlier this year, Black announced that the current UAAP season would be his last with the Blue Eagles. 

The Ateneo Blue Eagles are currently the top team in the league with a 12-2 win-loss record. Black has been head coach of the Blue Eagles since 2005, and has led the team to 4 straight crowns in the UAAP.

They are currently gunning for their 5th straight title.

On Tuesday, September 25, former Ateneo university president Bienvenido Nebres, SJ officially resigned as board member of the Pangilinan-led Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. -Rappler.com

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