The boy who watched is coach of the year

About 25 years ago, Luigi and Paolo Trillo were like most preteen boys their age: They got hooked on basketball, the game their father Joaqui loved and played.

One night, their father did the TV coverage and couldn’t sit beside his boys at Philsports Arena (the Ultra then). The TV panel then was set in the upper level, so he asked me, who was doing the radio coverage, if I could look after the boys who had courtside seats beside where we were seated.

Surely, I said. But the deal did not include the boys wanting some popcorn and Joaqui leaving any money for it. I end up treating the boys to their courtside chow and they enjoyed the game even more.

I recalled this popcorn tale last Tuesday at the PBA Press Corps awards which I have gladly emceed for some time now. It was my quip right after Luigi won the prestigious Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year Award.

Joaqui had that hearty laugh of his reminiscing the story but it was clear that he was proud of his son’s achievement.

The honor was a salute to the young man’s brilliance against very formidable and experienced bench strategists in the pro league.  Not many young coaches can inherit a team with a winning tradition, manage the difficulties of transition and went on to succeed.

Luigi steered Alaska to the Commissioner’s Cup title in only his third try at the helm of the ballclub. The interesting part is that the conference crown was won via a sweep of Ginebra, a team with which Alaska has had its own rivalry.

He had been one of Tim Cone’s long-time assistants but he also coached Adamson and in the PBA D-League. When Cone left to see if there were other opportunities beyond Alaska, team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu took a chance on the young Trillo for the start of the new era of the franchise.

Luigi’s experience coaching in  college and in the pro development league provided him a keen understanding of the young players who are now invigorating the PBA. He is old enough to earn their respect because he did play the game at La Salle and earned sufficient coaching spurs to show that he knows his stuff.

However, he credits Uytengsu for his success as well. “Fred (Uytengsu) e-mails me almost everyday,” the youthful new Coach of the Year explained. “He has really helped me form a competitive team.”

Joaqui’s presence has also helped because his long-time tenure as team manager provides additional continuity for this winning team.

Ria, Luigi’s wife who was at the awards night, was beaming as well because she has been with Luigi through most of his basketball journey. “I think I’ve been in the game as long has Luigi has been,” explained the one-time courtside reporter and newscaster. “And I’ve seen how hard he worked for his achievements.” Ria confides that it helps that she understands the game because she has seen how frustrating it can be for a young mentor.

It was refreshing to see how humble and good-natured Luigi has remained since I met him 25 years ago for a game and popcorn. He said that it was “an honor for him and his family that he is being mentioned in the same frame as Norman Black and Chot Reyes,” two winning coaches in the pros as well. His love of the game has clearly carried him through the hard times and provided him with an understanding that good things happen to those who wait and work hard.