TRILLO BELIEVES HIS APPOINTMENT AS INTERIM HEAD COACH IS AN AFFIRMATION OF ALASKA?S PBA COMMITMENT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 16 Apr 2012
Former assistant coach Luigi Trillo has been named interim head coach of the Alaska Aces replacing Joel Banal who stepped aside after meeting with team owner Fred Uytengsu and manager Joaqui Trillo, the former PBA chairman.
The younger Trillo told the Manila Standard ?it?s a strong firm vote of confidence. Since Mr. Uytengsu has given me this confidence now, I think it?s a firm affirmation that he is here to stay with the PBA.?
Trillo said ?I understand its going to be demanding, the Alaska organization has a winning tradition. It?s very challenging from a team standpoint but I?m excited to get to practice. We have high character guys like LA Tenorio, Tony dela Cruz, Sonny Thoss, Cyrus Baguio who are our leaders and we understand its not going to come easy but I?m very excited to get started. I know I have a lot to learn but I know I am in good hands with the players I have.?
Discussing the level of physicality especially in the on-going semi finals Trillo said he likes a physical game but doesn?t like rough and dirty tactics. He said ?our responsibility obviously is to teach the game the right way but also to adjust to calls. It happens every year, every other conference where certain things change because of what they allow. I?ve always told my guys play hard. You love the physical play but its another thing if you are threatening another player?s career.?
Banal said ?The goal of the Alaska franchise is to be in the semis of every conference and we did not meet that goal in the past two conferences, so I wanted to give management the chance to look at options."
Uytengsu said Banal?s ?selflessness to offer us options is extremely magnanimous on his part. It speaks volumes for how professional he is putting the team's interest ahead of his own."
Uytengsu met with Trillo and another assistant coach and former player Jojo Lastimosa and indicated "Given that we are two-thirds through the season, we felt it made more sense to appoint an interim Head Coach and then decide on a longer term solution after the end of this season."
Uytengsu and team manager Trillo met with the two main candidates for the position. The team owner noted "Both Jolas and Luigi are long time members of the franchise and they understand our philosophy, values and systems so it made sense we would appoint from within our organization. It was a tough choice because both candidates have a lot to offer and in the end I decided to go with Luigi because he has had head coaching experience in the PBL and the D League. Joaqui inhibited himself in the final decision because he was conflicted being Luigi's father. I believe Jojo will continue to be a team player and because he has a lot to offer from his playing experience and also wants to see the Aces resume its winning tradition."
Uytengsu remarked. ?This will be the first time a father-son tandem will manage and coach a team in the PBA? which is in itself a historical moment even as the 36 Luigi becomes the youngest coach in PBA history.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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