Can the Meralco Bolts finally get a championship?
Who will be the main tactician standing on the sidelines for the Meralco Bolts in the upcoming PBA Commissioner's Cup?
There's coach Luigi Trillo, who stepped in during the previous PBA Philippine Cup when Norman Black went on leave. And then there's coach Nenad Vucinic, who served as interim tactician for Gilas Pilipinas in one window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers last year.
Both were seen on the sidelines for the Bolts during the PBA On Tour.
To clarify, Trillo is the coach and Vucinic is an active consultant.
"There'll be some adjustments, and we want it as short (as possible)," Trillo told reporters during the PBA Media Day on Wednesday. "It really doesn't matter who's gonna be standing up and down."
"The idea is, can Meralco function? Can we get them (players) at their best and give our guys a chance to win games? I think that's the most important," he added.
They seem to be gelling well, as Trillo recounted how Vucinic wanted to observe how he coached during the preseason games.
"We're excited to work together. We've had active consultants in the past. This is something our bosses want," Trillo said, noting Vucinic's credentials.
The 58-year-old Vucinic was the former coach of New Zealand's national team and led the Nelson Giants to two championships in the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He has five NZNBL Coach of the Year plums. Vucinic also coached in leagues in Estonia and Italy, along with a couple of stints in China.
"Having somebody who has been around the world is an advantage for any team," Trillo pointed out.
As he said, there have been other active consultants in the PBA in the past, including another former Gilas Pilipinas coach in Rajko Toroman for the Barako Bull Energy, Todd Purves for the San Miguel Beermen, and Mark Dickel for the TNT Tropang Giga.
The Bolts have quite an impressive coaching crew. Not only do they have Trillo and Vucinic, Black remains as a consultant and Reynel Hugnatan continues to be one of the guiding voices for Meralco—now as an assistant coach.
The knowledge from Vucinic also likely came in handy in selecting their import for the PBA Commissioner's Cup, Nigerian-American Suleiman Braimoh, who has played in the NBL, the Japan B.League, and other leagues around Europe.
The Bolts will try to improve on their 10th-place finish in last season's PBA Commissioner's Cup.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada, One Sports Digital)
(PM)