ACES KEEP WINNING COACHES, PLAYERS
At least for the next three years and a conference, Alaska will have its coaching staff intact even as management decided to give contract extensions to its players in an effort to extend the Aces’ amazing run.
Members of head coach Luigi Trillo’s staff – Louie Alas, Alex Compton, Topex Robinson and Monch Gavieres – have verbally agreed to stay on after being offered contract extensions.
“We had a meeting yesterday (Monday) and we had agreed verbally,” Trillo said in a telephone interview.
The coaching staff were called in a meeting by Alaska management headed by team owner Wilfred Uytengsu, Board representative Joaqui Trillo and team manager Dickie Bachmann. With still four conferences left on their contracts, all coaches were given additional two-year extensions.
According to Trillo, Uytengsu will talk to him personally as soon as they return from their trip to the United States, which is part of the bonus given to the Aces for winning the Commissioner’s Cup.
But not only the coaches were rewarded. Players like Raphy Reyes, Sam Eman and Eddie Laure, three members of the Aces’ third group, were also given fresh deals.
Reyes, a third string guard who showed a lot of promise in some of the games of the Aces, were extended for the next two years. A one-year deal each were given to Eman and Laure.
Another veteran player, Nic Belasco, is likely to be given another year.
Dondon Hontiveros and RJ Jazul were given contract extensions right in the middle of the season.
“We want to continue what we started and want to make sure we have the pieces from top to bottom to do that in the succeeding conferences by trying to win with integrity always on our minds,” added Trillo. (RJ)
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