HOPE SPRINGS FOR TRILLO’S ACES
DESPITE a recent setback coach Luigi Trillo sees a very bright future for his Alaska squad.
“I feel good, I feel that we’re going to get better,” said Trillo moments after his Aces bowed to Talk N Text, 78-83, last Friday and ceded their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal duel at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The victory enabled the Tropang Texters to wrap up the best-of-seven series, 4-2, and pushed them through to a similar race-to-four confrontation with Rain or Shine in the finals starting Wednesday.
But not after going through the proverbial wringer against a surprising Alaska crew in a series where three other games were also decided by five points or less.
That fact eases the disappointment in Trillo. “I really feel there is a chance to grow and I don’t think we’re playing our best basketball yet,” he said. “I (still) see some lapses, but I like what I have right now.”
The fourth place finish is already an achievement in itself for the Uytengsu-owned franchise, considering it wound up five rungs lower in Trillo’s initial tenure at the team helm just a conference ago.
“I feel this team has really blossomed under us and I would feel bad if we lost big, but we didn’t. I like the heart of the team,” he stated.
Trillo’s upbeat projections actually started right in the 14-game eliminations phase, when his Aces recovered in a big way from a five-game slump to wind up fifth with an 8-6 win-loss slate.
“We were in trouble in the elims. But the nice thing is, they regrouped and they didn’t let their guard down,” related Trillo. “They could’ve abandoned me or abandoned what they believed in. But there was so much fight in this team.”
Meralco was hurdled in just two games in the quarterfinals and that set up a meeting with fearsome TNT, the elims topnotcher bent on pulling off the league’s only second three-peat in the tournament formerly known as the All-Filipino.
It was widely-believed the solidly-playing Texters would run roughshod over the Aces, who feature seven new players. But what gave Trillo additional hope is they were just one of two teams which beat TNT in the elims, the other being Barangay Ginebra.
Trillo’s hopes were further fanned when his team barely lost the series opener, 65-66, and stayed on even keel with TNT in the next three games before dropping a 95-99 Game 5 decision, mostly due to an ill-advised play that led to a turnover by Calvin Abueva in the dying seconds.
Then came last Friday, when his charges made the needed stops but themselves could not buy the points after coming within 75-80, still a good 3:19 left to play.
“You win Game One or you win Game Five it changes the complexion, but you can’t have two winners,” he mused.
Regardless, Trillo prefers to look at the brighter side of his Aces’ gallant but futile stand.
“I thought we held out valiantly,” said Trillo. “I feel it’s a good platform to start from. It’s a good foundation to start from and I told the guys there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
His team’s performance also boosted the 37-year-old tactician’s confidence in himself. “I’m young and I have a lot to learn. But I have a good support system with the coaching staff I have and with Mr. Uytengsu helping me out, so we’re gonna learn from this.” (NC)
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