LUIGI Trillo knows—and readily acknowledges—where his journey started.
“Those were very dark years,” Trillo said, recalling those years of coaching futility that preceded his breakthrough.
“You can say I learned the ropes the hard way,” the young Alaska coach said last night after beating out PBA Grand Slam winners Norman Black and Tim Cone for the PBA Press Corps’ coveted Coach of the Year award.
“It is just an honor for me and my family to even be mentioned in the same breath as coach Norman and coach Tim,” Trillo said after his exploits were feted in a night of stars during the PBAPC’s “A Banquet of Heroes” Awards Night at Wack Wack Golf Club.
“This award is also indicative of the great team that we have at Alaska, from Fred (Uytengsu, the team owner) who has molded me into the coach that I am, to my coaching staff, the players and everyone else,” added Trillo, who took home the Baby Dalupan trophy.
Team PBA, after a smashing take of over P200 million at the tills the past season, was the unanimous choice as Executive of the Year with outgoing chair Robert Non of Barangay Ginebra and commissioner Chito Salud receiving the Danny Floro trophy.
Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee was the MyPhone Defensive Player of the Year, receiving his trophy from Patrick Adrianne Cabusay of Myphone. Gary David, who was with Globalport last season, was the Scoring Champ for the second straight year.
Marcio Lassiter of Petron Blaze was the Bogs Adornado Comeback Player of the Year; Jervy Cruz of Rain or Shine Mr. Quality Minutes while Chris Tiu of Rain or Shine, Alex Mallari of San Mig and Cliff Hodge of Meralco joined June Mar Fajardo of Petron and Calvin Abueva of Alaska in the All-Rookie Team.
Barangay Ginebra’s LA Tenorio won the Accel Order of Merit award for the most Player of the Week citations the past season with three.