The Final Score: Norman Black - a basketball life never ends

Inside the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center, a familiar figure watched a play materialize during a Talk 'N Text practice session. Hands on waist. Observing. Assessing. New Talk 'N Text Head Coach Norman Black was at center court. That spot already has his name on it. Like an office within an office.

"Back pick! Back pick!"

Black's booming voice is part of the architecture. "Moro" was Norman's laboratory during the Ateneo championship years. His stint with Ateneo, however, is officially over. Go change Ateneo to Talk 'N Text. Switch Kiefer Ravena with Jimmy Alapag. One discovers that a practice session under Black, for any team, delivers the same sensory experiences around here.

"Let's go! Let's move!"

Same man. Same spot. Same game. Hindi kaya magsawa si Norman? Doesn't he need a change in scenery? "Moro" pa rin? Where the ball bounces the same way. Where basketball chaos produces the same echoes. He's still using his old office inside the Ateneo "Bat Cave" on the third floor. He's also working under the same amount of pressure from, technically, the same basketball executives. It's like the UAAP never stopped. It's like basketball never ends.

Some believe the transition from Chot Reyes to Norman Black is seamless. After all, Norman was already a team consultant for Talk 'N Text before taking over as Head Coach. After all, Talk 'N Text leads the league with 9 victories and just 2 losses. But Talk 'N Text is in a period of transition even if their performances suggest otherwise.

"I worry about you," I remarked during our conversation after practice. "Won't you suffer from burnout?"

“It’s actually the opposite of burnout. I’m excited," Norman replied. "I’m excited about coaching this team. I’m excited about trying to build my system in the PBA again. I’m excited about motivating my players to execute the system for me. So we can win games. Hopefully, we can win a championship. It’s a challenge."

Norman doesn't strike me as a tired man. He even joined a 5-on-5 scrimmage with Talk 'N Text players today. He can still dribble between the legs. He still drove to the basket with that puffed-out chest. His every move still seemed calculated to work perfectly. Oh and he still flashed that cobra-looking follow through on his jump shot.

Black is back in the PBA with a new team, new players and a new mandate. Yet it all feels strangely familiar. If you see Norman cross his arms during a Talk 'N Text game or mutter observations to himself during a break, you're witnessing some habits he can't break. It's fine to say, "From Ateneo days pa yan." It's even more appropriate to comment, "From San Miguel days pa yan." A 10-time PBA champion coach is back. A PBA Grand Slam coach returns. And he's amped to be working non-stop.

"That’s what basketball is all about. It’s a challenge," Norman shared. "I am more excited than I am burned out, believe me.” -AMD, GMA News