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| Was Coach Luigi the right choice? |
We're talking about no less than the Wilfred Uytengsu-owned Alaska Aces-- robbed of its identity the last 20 or so years no thanks to Hall of Fame coach Tim Cone's decision to search for greener pastures (read: join Team San Miguel via the B-Meg Llamados which he led to the PBA Commissioner's Cup title in only his 2nd conference on the job).
The events that transpired during the first two conferences has already been discussed in several entries on this blog. How the Alaska Aces went from wanting continuity (in terms of the Triangle Offense) with promoted head coach Joel Banal and his freshly-signed three year pact, to them allowing coach Joel to switch the offense to run-and-gun before finally giving him the pink slip, and going back to the Triangle this time with interim head coach Luigi Trillo of Adamson and Cebuana Lhullier fame.
Though stars L.A. Tenorio, Sonny Thoss and Cyrus Baguio are saying all the right things about their new head coach, it didn't translate to success on the hardcourt as the team struggled to make nary a dent in the elimination round despite having captain Tony dela Cruz and new recruits Gabby Espinas and RJ Jazul added to the mix.
Again, you'd think that Aces would have an easier time with the return to the Triangle but there's a big difference between running plays of a book, and actually knowing which plays to run on the fly. That's where coach Joel failed, and pretty much where coach Luigi did as well-- they both wanted to run the Triangle, but neither was skilled enough to recognize or make in-game adjustments within the Triangle offense when their sets were falling apart.
What went wrong in the third conference?
Simple. They traded away their only high/low post threat in JayR Reyes for Gabby Espinas, which meant that they had to rely more still on the perimeter guys rather than having space eaters down low.
From Chicago to Los Angeles or even coach Tim's Alaska and BMeg squads, there's always a key post player. He could be a big time scorer, or just a screen setter with a steady jumper-- the Triangle thrives on having an anchor which is usually played by a big man with two wings/ guards working off him.
With Reyes out, the pressure was on Thoss to step out of the shaded area and try to play screen setter. The reality however is, he was never the guy asked by coach Tim to anchor the Triangle. More like the 5 man who rebounds and catches simple entry passes to finish around the rim. That role was played to perfection by Reynel Hugnatan (and before him, Don Allado, Ali Peek, Jon Ferriols and so on), it's no secret that the Aces haven't been relevant since he left for the Bolts.
They were a running team, with all the right tools, but they were playing a set-system designed for highly skilled players who are more team than isolation guys.
Coach Joel had some level of success in the 2nd conference when he axed the Triangle to push the tempo, and players actually thrived-- namely the inconsistent Bonbon Custodio during that brief run. Alas, the Aces went back to the style that they wanted to run, wanted to own the Triangle Offense which is pretty much coach Tim's to take to his grave.
For the Aces to be relevant next conference, they need to add a key big man (preferably with half of Bong Hawkins' high post game) who can anchor the Triangle (hello Junemar Fajardo!) or add a guy who actually knows the system and has run it on the fly (why they didn't go with Jojo Lastimosa is beyond this guy. Of all the former players of the 90s, Jolas' cerebral take on the game makes for a very credible coach in today's era. E kung si Pareng Pido Jarencio nga nakapag pa champion e.)
Either run and gun with your young, athletic talent, or get a coach who knows the system you want to adopt.
actually, the aces more were more successful with devance than hugnatan at the 4 spot. and really, i find it ridiculous when u say that jay r reyes is a low/high post threat. yes the guy has finesse, but doesn't have the finish. he was shooting more bricks than buckets. i hated it when he shoots the ball from far away(well actually anywhere). please be a keen observer and stop praising jay r reyes' offensive game. and really, i hate it when u write articles about alaska. just go and create lousy nicknames haha.. the pba analysts might make lousier ones, but they're the ones on tv, not you. haha
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. Yes, they had some measure of success with JDV at the 4 spot. But that was only when he was making plays OR was taller than the opposing power forward. Most of the time, Cone had to go with Hugnatan or someone else because whatever JDV brought on offense, he was pretty much surrendering on defense.
ReplyDeleteAbout Reyes, between him and Thoss-- you're absolutely correct. I've also been pointing that out. Reyes has that RAW Kerby game while Thoss is strictly a low post rebounder and screen setter. Thoss hasn't changed his game since his PBL days with ICTSI-- he just got a lot stronger and tougher inside but his offense is still generated strictly via putbacks and gimmes. Reyes on the other hand showed (in the Philippine Cup anyway) that he has some game to him when paired with Thoss. Like I always say, bigs need time with the ball to develop. They don't instantly become high scoring stars unless the offense goes through them.
As far as being on TV boss, never say never haha.