Louie Alas back in PBA as coach as he calls shots for Phoenix Fuel Masters

FIFTEEN years since he last coached in the PBA, Louie Alas will finally get a chance to handle his own team, this time, as head mentor of the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

“I’m excited to be back. Coaching in the PBA is the ultimate goal of coaches in the Philippines. I have no expectations except that we want to get better,” Mr. Alas told BusinessWorld.

Mr. Alas will be coaching his first PBA team since he last handled Talk ’N Text from 2000 to 2001 seasons.

The multi-titled collegiate mentor got his release from Alaska where he served as assistant coach to Alex Compton.

Mr. Alas will bring with him current Lyceum Pirates coach Topex Robinson, also a previous member of the Alaska coaching staff who will become his lead assistant.

According to Mr. Alas, he got a call from team manager Paolo Bugia, who’s been talking to him as early as last season, but the former national team player and father of NLEX guard Kevin Alas, couldn’t commit due to his contractual obligations with the Aces.

But Mr. Alas, thru the help of Mr. Compton, got his release from Alaska, to fulfill his wish of finally making a coaching comeback.

For Mr. Alas, the team’s immediate goal is to strengthen the team and make gradual inclusion of players they need for their campaign next season.

“We’re three pieces away to become a more competitive team,” Mr. Alas said in a telephone interview. “We need a big man and two guards who can complement Jeff Chan, Matthew Wright, JC Intal and RJ Jazul.”

Sunday’s PBA Rookie Draft will be the start of Phoenix’s build up as the team will be picking fourth in the first round.

“We’ll try to get these pieces that we need both from the free agent and the draft,” added Mr. Alas. “I told the management that if we really get over the hump, we really need to get these kind of players.” —