Time to celebrate

Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo couldn’t begin to describe the feeling of winning a PBA championship for a franchise that hadn’t bagged a title since entering the pro league in 2010-11. He was once PBA Coach of the Year with Alaska in 2013 but that seemed like ages ago. Trillo joined the Meralco organization in 2014 as assistant coach and took over the helm last year from Norman Black who remains with the team as a consultant.

“I don’t know how to describe this win,” said Trillo. “It’s my sixth championship, four as an assistant coach. The last was 11 years ago. We celebrated with fans and family at Hard Rock Makati and I was hugging my wife Ria and saying we also celebrated 11 years ago at Hard Rock with Alaska. So proud of our staff, players, coaches and grateful to our bosses for the all-out support – to MVP (Meralco chairman/CEO Manny V. Pangilinan), Sir Ricky Vargas, Atty. Bill (Pamintuan), Ms. Malu (Alvendia), Ms. Betty (Siy-Yap), Paolo (Trillo), coach Norman (Black) and Sir Al (Panlilio).”

Meralco’s journey to the top of the PBA Philippine Cup was a roller-coaster ride. The Bolts opened the conference like a sinking ship with a 1-3 record and for a while, they ranked 11th in the standings. Meralco had to scramble to make it to the playoffs, winning three in a row to end the elims with a 6-5 record, tying TNT, Rain or Shine, NLEX and Magnolia for third place. The quotient system broke the five-team logjam with Meralco claiming the No. 3 slot. In the quarters, the Bolts swept NLEX then went seven games to survive Barangay Ginebra in the semis before vanquishing San Miguel Beer in six in the Finals. Meralco held San Miguel to an average of 85.3 points in its four Finals wins, a testament to the Bolts’ commitment to defense.

“In our coaching world, it’s really hard to win a championship,” continued Trillo. “I’m so happy for (team manager) Pao (his brother Paolo Trillo), too. During the pandemic, Pao was our boss, carrying bags and videoing our practices in the stands. He did most of all, the leg work behind the scenes. At some point, we had to win to show that we belonged. Even after five Finals and 15 semifinals over 10 years, we had to win to prove that we could get over the hump.”

The Trillo brothers owe a lot to their parents Joaqui, a former La Salle cager, and Dada, a bank executive. “My dad heard Mass from the house every day the week before,” said Trillo, the coach. “And I’m glad Mama Dada witnessed it. I had to greet her in my remarks after we won the championship at Araneta because it’s always been Pappy Joaqui who got recognition but my Mom has been our No. 1 cheerleader through everything.”

Finals MVP Chris Newsome’s father Eric couldn’t be at the venue as he’s back in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “Got up at 4 a.m. to watch the game here in the US,” he said. “I told Chris after the game to thank God. Congrats! And that he finally did it after seven years of my waiting for that first PBA championship. Taking big shots came from the hard work and practice he put in every day.” The victory came on Father’s Day last Sunday. “It was a great Father’s Day gift,” said Daddy Newsome. “When I left the Philippines, they were in next to last place in the elims. All of our family are amazed by what happened. This is truly a dream come true. What a blessing.”