Understanding Louie Alas' style of play
MANILA, Philippines — Outside the two former Letran Knights — in RJ Jazul and Kerby Raymundo — sitting on the coaching staff’s bench along with their former coach Louie Alas, there is nothing that resembles their old style of play back when they won titles in the grand old league.
To suggest that is a fallacy and obviously, one didn’t watch Letran basketball that I did from Louie’s time to Aldin Ayo right up to Bonnie Tan.
Especially with Louie. I also had the luxury of going to their practices at Intramuros, being allowed inside their dugout before, halftime, and even postgame. I also accompanied the team in several after game dinners. And on a couple of occasions, I have been invited to the coach’s birthday, including that of his son, Kevin.
Speaking of Kevin. After playing high school ball for Letran, he was heavily recruited by La Salle. In fact, everyone thought he was headed there and had been training with the Green Archers for two months. But at the last moment, he pivoted to play for Letran’s senior team. No, Louie didn’t ask him to come back. There was another reason that I cannot disclose.
Even as Louie left Letran, I followed him with the Philippine Patriots up to the Alaska Aces, where he served as an assistant. That also served as a reunion for me and Topex Robinson, who I covered extensively while he was coaching his alma mater of San Sebastian and Lyceum.
Under Louie, Letran played hellacious, tenacious full-court press and at a speed played by no Ateneo college team. Let me emphasize that — Ateneo college team. However, Blue Eaglets basketball back in the day, yes, most definitely.
One huge difference is the makeup of both teams. Totally poles apart in terms of the types of players. Also remember, they didn’t have much of a budget at Letran. So, any comparisons are already out of the window.
In all this time, Louie’s rotation has always been about merit. He goes 12-13 deep. You work your ass off in practice and give it all during games, you play. You sulk, you sit down. But he will have words with you. He was hard on his kids — Jun Jun and Kevin, who both played for him in Letran. They were on a shorter leash than the other players. The other son, Kenneth, went to San Beda. Everyone thinks that Kieffer has it made playing for his father.
Er, no. If he was tough on his other sons, he is even tougher on Kieffer. That is the only thing I will say (although I know a little bit more about this). I have seen players who were a regular part of their team’s rotation but when there was a coaching change, he was in the doghouse and eventually, released (and no, they weren’t headaches and they even went to classes). I even helped a couple of them transfer schools.
Whenever there is a new coach, there is a difference in style of play, ideas about the game, rotation, and so on. There is no exception.
It is like that everywhere, even in the corporate world. When people chafe at this, I wonder, have you actually worked?
To say that even under the previous Ateneo coach, there was no dissatisfaction with rotation and playing time is erroneous. Let’s just leave it at that. And you know what, a coach choosing his rotation doesn’t necessarily mean he is wrong. I myself have coached (but not at this ultra-competitive level) and understand the dynamics and complexities of it.
Perhaps the only thing that I can say resembles Louie’s stint with Letran (but you can also say the same for the Manila Metrostars and Philippine Patriots who he led to championships or even national team gold) is it is a first and quick strike. If there is that opportunity to score quickly while taking a good shot, then go for it. If one misses, then go back and defend immediately so one can win back that ball.
Don’t think too that it is with Louie I have this relationship or I follow extensively. I once had that relationship with Jamike Jarin when he coached the Blue Eaglets and the San Beda Red Lions.
In fact, during one game, he puzzled the Red Lions and their supporters when he stuck to a certain rotation in what was a calculated gamble. San Beda still won, but none of the team or their supporters knew why.
Inside their locker room post-match, he asked his team why they think he did what he did. No one knew the answer. Finally, he asked me, the guest, the sportswriter. And I told them why. After all, I had seen him try that same trick with the Blue Eaglets. It was a calculated risk that paid handsome dividends then. However, that is a tale of two different crowds talking about San Beda and Ateneo.
I served under Eric Altamirano for nine years with the NBTC and even with National University. Boycie Zamar who gave me a lot of access when he was at his alma mater of UE. Robinson when he was with Lyceum. Rajko Toroman when he was Gilas head coach. And for a spell, the Alaska Aces under Tim Cone and the Meralco Bolts under Norman Black. In a non-basketball setting, there was a time when Nonito Bonaire gave me tremendous access prior and after a fight. I was at his training camp, with him as he prepped in his hotel room, with him on his way to the venue — and a first for me — literally in his corner during the fight.
This current Ateneo team is not molded in Louie’s image and likeness. It is a Tab Baldwin team playing at a different speed. If there is one more thing, seeing Jared Bahay or Ian Espinosa play together or with Kieffer Alas, it reminds me of that awesome backcourt tandem of Kevin Alas and a 5-foot-6 Mark Cruz, even a 5-foot-9 Franz Dysam. But until Bahay and Espinosa regularly stick that mid-range jumper, it isn’t even a close comparison.
You want to play for him, then play your butt off every single minute.
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