25/05/2014
The Alaska Aces on Sunday announced that the team has appointed Alex Compton to replace Luigi Trillo as head coach.
Compton would be the team’s third coach since the departure of Tim Cone in 2011 after 22 years with the team.
Trillo, whose father Joaqui was a longtime team executive before retiring earlier this season, piloted Alaska to the title in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup. But the Aces have struggled since, failing to make the semifinals of each of the last three PBA tournaments.
“We are appreciative of Luigi’s efforts during his tenure as Head Coach and piloting the Aces to our 14th PBA title. But it has been a challenging ride the past three conferences,” said Alaska owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu.
“The Trillo name will always be fondly associated with the Aces owing to the fact that Joaqui Trillo served as Team Manager for 25 years as well as the Aces representative to the Board of Governors together with his son Luigi who were the only father/son (team manager-head coach) tandem to lead a franchise to a PBA title.
Trillo, meanwhile, expressed gratitude toward Alaska, where he began his coaching career as an assistant coach in 1998/
“I would like to thank the Alaska organization for the last 16 years of employment. I am leaving the team in a good place. I’ll always have fond memories, especially the championship we won last year as a team. I’m going to take some time off to spend with my family,” said Trillo.
Compton, an American who has spent his entire professional playing and coaching career in the Philippines, will make his head coaching debut. Prior to joining Alaska in 2012, he also served as an assistant coach at Rain or Shine and Powerade.
“It has been an honor working with and learning from Coach Luigi Trillo and I consider him a good friend,” said Compton.
“While I will miss working with him, I am both excited and challenged by the opportunity to try and replicate the success the Alaska franchise has had over the past 28 years. I look forward to working with Mr. Uytengsu, Mr. Bachmann, and all the coaches and players as we continue our pursuit of excellence.”
