Louie Alas did not sugarcoat anything about his performance as the Phoenix Fuel Masters’ head coach, openly admitting that he is struggling after being a long-time assistant coach with the Alaska Aces from years back.
“Actually yung mga players walang problema eh. Pero yung coach, struggling,” said the soft-spoken mentor with a dry smile. “Kasi I’ve been an assistant coach for more than five years and I still want to get into a rhythm.
“Kailangan ko pa talagang mag-adjust being head coach.”
The Fuel Masters managed to end the preseason tourney with a decent 2-1 card. But Alas feels that it is not just him who needs time to adjust, but his players as well, especially with the defense-oriented system he is installing.
“We still have to make a lot of adjustments kasi yung last three weeks and dami naming in-incorporate sa depensa namin… And parang nakalimutan namin lahat yung pinag-aralan namin,” said Alas.
But aside from defense, the former Letran Knights mentor also sees the need to work on his players’ bad habits on the court.
“Madami pa nga kaming breakdowns and may mga ginagawa pa kami na hindi namin dapat gawin,” said the former Philippine Patriots coach. “Minsan mga veterans ko pa yung gumagawa.
“So talagang adjustment period pa rin kami.”
The four-team tourney has now come to an end. But that doesn’t stop Alas and the Fuel Masters from working, as they all plan to get into the groove with all the available time left before the PBA raises the curtains for the 43rd season.
“Sabi ko nga, kahit siguro makailang tune-up games ako, iba pa rin yung talagang game sa PBA,” said the amiable Alas.
“Siguro after this preseason, may two tune-up games pa ‘ko para ma-acclimate pa ako.”
