BUBBLE NOTES

Proud dad

Rookie Barley Eboña of Alaska is wasting no time in learning from one of the best big men who ever played in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

After scoring a team-high 24 points in their 120-82 win over Blackwater, Eboña revealed that it was the fruit of his long hours working with Danny Ildefonso.

Eboña said having the two-time Most Valuable Player in his corner gave him the skills and confidence that would put him at par with Ildefonso’s former protégés in June Mar Fajardo and Vic Manuel.

“He always teaches me what I should do every time I attack the post. He gives me a lot of options on I could deliver better,” Eboña said.

“I am very thankful that he is always there to guide me and I’m happy that I can apply it in actual games.”

It’s so far, so good for Norman Black in wearing two different hats inside the PBA bubble.

Black was beaming with pride when his son, Aaron, played a crucial role in Meralco’s 109-104 overtime win over Magnolia.

The 23-year-old Aaron poured 16 points with three triples, giving Black a good reason to prove his doubters wrong.

“You really don’t know what to expect. Aaron has been really playing well in practice. He shows a lot of poise and confidence,” Black said.

“He just needs to continue working hard, keeping his head straight and not get too confident. He still has to focus on how to get things done.”

The injury bug keeps on hounding the players inside the quarantine bubble.

Ian Sangalang and Rome de la Rosa of Magnolia were the latest casualties, prompting head coach Chito Victolero to leave them on the bench during their 104-109 loss to Meralco.

Sangalang was said to be suffering from a back injury while De la Rosa is rested his hyperextended knee.

Both of them are now being monitored and Victolero is hoping that they would be available when they face dangerous teams like Phoenix Super LPG and Barangay Ginebra this weekend.