Power tools firm brings in Norman Black for turnover of 2 fiberglass boards

For years, they were forced to make do with a basketball court filled with pockmarks, with creaky boards and with hardly any visible lines that often cause heated disputes among players.

That finally changed yesterday.

Hundreds of young basketball enthusiasts from Parian gathered at the barangay’s newly spruced-up basketball court not minding the sweltering heat to witness the formal turnover of two fiberglass boards by no less than multi-titled PBA and collegiate basketball coach Norman Black.

The top-of-the-line boards were donated by Skil Power Tools as part of the company’s social responsibility program, said Martin Valenzuela, Brand Manager of Bosch and Skil Power Tools.

Black, who steered the Talk N Text Tropang Texters to the championship of the recent PBA Commissioner’s Cup, is a Skil endorser.

Michael, 11, an incoming Grade 5 student in nearby Tejero Elementary School, said that he is excited to try the new boards and the freshly painted court.

“Sa una man gud bati iduwa diri kay bati ang ring. Karon nindot na kaayo, ganahan naku mu duwa.”

Valenzuela said Skil is targeting to install 40 fiberglass boards around the country. And while the Parian boards were the first in Cebu, he said these are definitely not the last to be mounted here.

In his speech, Black, who is also known as Mr. 100 Percent in the PBA for his accurate freethrow shooting, urged the young cagers to use the gifts wisely and grab the rare opportunity to harness their basketball skills to the fullest.

“This is a big opportunity for you to develop your skills to the fullest, grab it and take good care of these gifts,” Black urged the young athletes. “Not all basketball-loving children in the country are given this chance.”

NOBLE PROGRAM

Black believes that Skil’s program of providing fiberglass boards to rural communities is a big boost to basketball especially in the countryside where rotten basketball rings are the rule rather than the exception.

“That’s why I am so thankful to Skil Power Tools for coming up with this noble program which is a big help to the sport closest to my heart,” Black said after the two-hour turnover program that started at 2 p.m.

And his enthusiasm was evident when he braved the heat to personally conduct a skills training and basketball clinic right after the turnover program attended by Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmena.

Later, Black who is now dripping with sweat, gamely posed for photo opportunities with his fans.

Skil Power Tools also donated basketballs and spent for the repainting of the iron ring stands and the court located beside the Parian historical tableau.

The American company which was brought by German power tools giant Bosch, claims to have consistently registered double-digit growth in the market in the past years.

“This program is just one way of giving back to the community,” disclosed Valenzuela who added that aside from basketball they are also planning to support dragonboat and rowing, sports which are not so popular here but he said wield immense potential.

Marie Faller of Bosch said that yesterday’s activity would not have been possible without the valuable support of Cebu Atlantic Hardware of Stephen Go and Cebu Skil Power Tools representative Reynito Adolfo.

So the next time you pass by barangay Parian, don’t be surprised to see young children play basketball while the sun is still at its hottest. They are just testing their new hoop skills taught by a legendary coach and the barangay’s brand new fiberglass boards.