It turns out Meralco already has the formula to solve the problem that is Tim Cone and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in its own stash for years now.
Acting head coach Luigi Trillo proved yet again that he is a bane to his former mentor by steering the Bolts to a breakthrough playoff series victory over the Kings following multiple heartbreaks in the past, Sunday night.
Taking over on an interim basis with Norman Black still in States grieving after the loss of his mother, the seasoned mentor led the club to a pulsating 106-104 victory to oust their rivals and advance to the 2022 Philippine Cup semis.
The triumph couldn’t get any more special for Meralco, who bowed to Ginebra in all of the six playoff encounters they’ve had previously, with the most recent the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup Finals that saw them lose in six games.
“It ranks up there,” said Trillo after the match as he considers the win as one of the best moments of his career. “Because this one was Ginebra, and Ginebra’s gotten us six times. So, at least we can say it’s off our back.”
If there’s someone in the Bolts who knows how to defeat Cone, that surely is Trillo. Before beating him thrice this conference alone, he won his lone PBA championship in 2013 by going through the 24-time titlist.
He led Alaska past Cone’s San Mig Coffee in the semis, 3-1, before sweeping, coincidentally, Ginebra, in the finale to rule the Commissioner’s Cup.
“The last time na tinalo namin sila, we beat them, they were San Mig Coffee. I think they were the defending champions also, with Denzel Bowles,” recalled Trillo, whose Aces then were led by Rob Dozier and Calvin Abueva.
He may have gotten one against his old mentor anew, but the 47-year-old said that he is and will always be honored to compete against Cone whenever.
(C) PBA Images
“Anytime you go up against Coach Tim, I mean, 24 championships. It’s a dream to coach against him. I’ve learned a lot under him,” said Trillo, who served as one of Cone’s deputies in Alaska until the latter left the club in 2011.
Trillo also didn’t hug the spotlight all to himself, as he tipped his hat to his fellow coaches and the entire Bolts for getting the job done.
“Just grateful that the guys responded, and it’s people around, helping. It’s not just me. I had a great coaching staff, na tulungan kami, and the players.”
Furthermore, Trillo hopes to have Black around sooner, especially now that the Bolts are back in the all-Filipino semis for the third time in a row.
“We have the semifinals ahead. Coach Norman, hopefully, will be back soon, and we welcome him,” he said.
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