Willie Miller likes the potential of Converge’s guards now that he’s working with them up close and personal, being the team’s newest assistant coach.
The two-time PBA MVP lauded the wits and aggression he’s been seeing from their backcourt guys — high praise coming from someone as revered as him.
“Magagaling,” the 46-year-old offered. “Mauutak sa atin. Bata. Aggressive. Ang dami. We just have to put them under control.”
The FiberXers didn’t have the season debut they hoped for after bowing to Blackwater on Wednesday but the guards proved to be the silver lining.
Returning gunner Mac Tallo found his rhythm late and ended up as the locals’ top-scorer with 15 points, spiked by a trio of three-pointers.
Sophomore Alec Stockton, on the other hand, contributed 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, and added three assists.
(C) PBA Images
All that, of course, was witnessed by MIller first-hand. He joined the coaching staff along the sidelines to mark his PBA coaching debut.
The four-time league champion was brought in to the young ball club’s think-tank earlier this week, becoming the latest addition to the staff of chief tactician Aldin Ayo’ that also features another two-time MVP in Danny Ildefonso.
“Usually ako, sa 1, 2 ,3 ako nakatingin kasi ‘yun ‘yung napaglaruan kong position eh,” said Miller as he’s taking on more of a mentor role.
Coaching, though, is no longer new to Miller, having been teaching young talents. But coaching in the pros is a whole different ball game and he simply hopes to be of help to the upstart franchise, especially to its young guns.
“Dito naman tayo para makatulong sa mga bata,” he said. “Sana makatulong ‘yung mga sasabihin natin.”
