Alas says Phoenix asked him to resign before dismissal

Former Phoenix coach Louie Alas said on Saturday that the team had asked him to sign a resignation paper before announcing that he had been relieved of his job.

“Actually, I have with me the paper they’re asking me to sign. They said it would be their basis. They would shoulder, pay for the remainder of my contract,” Alas told “The Chasedown” in Filipino on Saturday.

Alas was fired on Friday night, with Phoenix naming Topex Robinson, his lead deputy, as interim coach.

Alas said before the development, he was ready to coach out the remainder of his contract, which expires on Oct. 31. Alas was nearing the end of a team-imposed 15-day suspension for an unintentional health protocol violation.

“I’ve always said that I am all for the team’s welfare, that I will fight for it. Even if my contract expires on Oct. 31st, I kept on saying I’d fight for this team to the end,” Alas said.

Alas said team manager Paolo Bugia sent him a letter of resignation for him to sign last week.

“I told (Paolo) I wouldn’t do it because I don’t want to be viewed as quitting on the team,” Alas said.

“He said, ‘Coach, I’m appealing [to] you, so you could get something out the remainder of your contract,’” he added.

Alas also released a statement on Saturday thanking Phoenix for the “great honor and privilege” of coaching the squad, giving special mention to team owner Dennis Uy “for giving me all the support during my tenure.”