HE HAS the weight of the whole blue world on his shoulders. Blue Eagles’ head coach Norman Black is a man who needs no introduction. After racking up awards and championships in the professional level, he became one of the greatest imports to ever suit up in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Four years since accepting the mission to deliver another title to the Loyola-based cagers, Black says the college level is all about developing players. “You don’t get them developed like the pros, you get them raw coming out of high school, so the way you hone their skills will determine the team’s success over the next five years,” says the Ateneo mentor.

Fortunately, Black has the luxury to build a solid future with the addition of a bumper rookie crop to work with this coming UAAP season. But despite a solid mix of veterans and upstarts, Black’s philosophy is all about progression throughout the season.

“We have to improve throughout the whole course of the season in order to get that championship in the end,” Black adds.

But in the UAAP wars, the alumni pressure can be as difficult as breaking the La Salle press or UE’s athletic prowess. Coach Norman believes that this is all part of the job and he has to adjust to it.

“The UAAP season is like a boat ride. Sometimes it’s stormy, sometimes it’s calm. All I ask of the supporters is to stay on the boat for the entire season,” Black says.

Black believes it is the team’s goal to make it to the top 2 and go for the championship. But for his season’s personal goals, he makes it more simple than X’s and O’s. “It’s all about the players,” concluded Black.