Luigi Trillo is ready to implement a new system when he guides Meralco in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup starting this Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Trillo said they will be using the blueprint set by Serbian coach Nenad Vucinic when they shoot for their first title in the season-opening conference.
Vucinic, the 58-year-old seasoned mentor who handled Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifying Tournament two years ago, will serve as Meralco’s active consultant with Trillo tasked to run his program. “In the PBA On Tour, I was the one designated to coach so Coach Nenad is an active consultant. He wants me to coach while he wants to observe,” Trillo said, adding of their new bench set-up in which former head coach Norman Black will stay as team consultant.
“I know the guy. Last year, when Coach Norman had some personal concerns in the United States, I had to coach. We made it to the semifinals and we beat Ginebra. Then, we started Game 1 of the semis against San Miguel. With that being said, I think there’s going to be some time with Coach Nenad and we’re excited to work together.”
A long-time deputy of Tim Cone at Alaska, Trillo used to implement the Triangle Offense, especially when he led the Aces to the Commissioner’s Cup title in 2013.
Now, Trillo is ditching the Triangle in lieu of Vucinic’s system while retaining some of the concepts that Black used when he led the Bolts to four championship runs.
Trillo feels that merging both Vucinic and Black’s system will lead to a successful performance.
“We had active consultants in the past — Bill Bayno, Mark Dickel, and they’ve made it to the finals. At the end of the day, this is what our bosses want and they feel that this is the best for the team,” said Trillo, who is looking forward to working with the Serbian mentor.
“I’m excited to work with him. He’s a good person. He’s been around and has been a national team coach. I think he’s more excited with the teachings. With anything, having somebody who’s been around the world, coaching all over, I think is an advantage for any team. I’m excited and I welcome that.”
Trillo admitted that just like any other system, there will always be some birth pains and adjustment periods.
“But we want to make it short,” he said.
“At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter who’s standing there. The more interesting question is can Meralco function, or can Meralco come together? Can we give our guys a chance to win games? I think these are the more important things to see.”
