Black, Fil-Ams thumbs up on Biden win

SMART CLARK GIGA CITY , Philippines — In a bubble play thousands of miles away from the United States, Joe Biden’s victory in the US presidential election was hailed as a triumph for change, healing and unity.

“I’m happy. I don’t want to say anything bad to anybody but I’m hap­py with the change in government. Unity is what it should be all about. It’s the United States of America. It’s not the divided states of America,” said Meralco coach Norman Black, an American and one of the pioneer for­eign coaches in Philippine basketball.

“I could never understand why under Trump, it’s just so divided – one group of red and one group of blue. We’re all people. We’re all citizens. I hope Biden can bring the country together again and at least if he can’t make the Republicans love him, he can make them respect him,” Black added.

TNT Tropang Giga’s Harvey Carey and Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood, two of the veteran PBA Fil-Am cagers, echoed Black’s sentiments.

“I think the States will be in better hands. Let’s hope for the best and the decrease in division. Let’s bring back love and unity. I just hope that things will get better from here,” Carey said.

“It’s definitely a big win. But the work is not done yet. (All we need) is just humanity. We got to be better to each other and hopefully with (Biden) at the head, that leads to that. Lord willing,” said Norwood.

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TNT coach Bong Ravena is a proud dad, happy on son Thirdy’s solid efforts in his first two games with his San-en NeoPhoenix team in the Japan B.League.

“Nakakatuwa. I’m overwhelmed na yung mga anak ko nagiging successful sa mga career nila at di sila nakakali­mot,” said Bong, with Thirdy averag­ing 12.5 points in those two games