The Alaska Aces’ coaching staff has just become more solid for the upcoming 43rd season of the PBA as head coach Alex Compton has added Eric Altamirano to his staff.
“I am really excited about the new coaches we have added to our coaching staff. Coach Eric Altamirano is a proven winner at every single level he has coached at including the PBA. Alaska gets a veteran coach with tremendous experience and character in Coach Eric, truly a man of excellence,” said Compton, who is Altamirano’s partner with the National Basketball Training Center.
This comes after the departure of long-time assistant coaches Louie Alas and Topex Robinson, who were both hired by Phoenix Fuel Masters last October 27, 2017.
Also added to the staff are all-time great Danny Ildefonso and the recently-retired Tony Dela Cruz.
The 38-year-old Dela Cruz will be the rawest coach among the three, since he has just retired after playing his final game as a Milkman last September 20 against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a loss, 82-112.
“Tony Dela Cruz has always been one of the smartest players in the PBA and he knows the ins and outs of our system as well as any of our coaches. He is an excellent communicator who has a great relationship with everyone on the team and he will make a very smooth transition into coaching,” Compton added.
Ildefonso is currently serving as deputy to coach Jamike Jarin.