By Waylon Galvez
At 54, veteran coach Louie Alas is giving himself exactly five more years before he call it quits from any type of work that is related to basketball.
His plan has the blessing of his wife.
That’s why when the management of Phoenix Fuel offered him the coaching job of the Fuel Masters, he immediately grabbed the opportunity,
“Before 60 years old, ang gusto naming mag-asawa dapat retired na kami pareho,” said Alas, whose better half works as Associate Front Office Manager at New World Hotel in Makati City.
Another factor, Alaska said, is that he wants his two younger sons, Kenneth, and Keiffer, to see him as head coach again, something that his two older sons, Kristoffer and Kevin – now a player of NLEX – were able to witness when he handled the coaching chores of the Mobiline Phone Pals (now TNT) from 2000 to 2002.
The two had the opportunity to play for him when they were at Letran.
Alas formally signed his deal yesterday with Phoenix Fuel, which is only approaching its second full season this 43rd PBA Season on December 17 after it made its debut in the Commissioner’s Cup during the 41st Season.
Prior to last season, Phoenix Fuel already asked him if he’s interested to coach the franchise, but he turned down the offer because he was committed to Compton – a good friend – and Alaska, especially after the team made the finals twice in three conferences.
Alas joined the Aces when Luigi Trillo was appointed as coach in 2011. Prior to accepting the offer of Phoenix Fuel, he has two years left in his contract with the team of Wilfred Steven Uytengsu.
It was Compton, according to Alas, who helped him – even if the former was in America – reach out to Uytengsu through e-mail as Alaska released him from his remaining two-year contract.
“I’m very, very, interested,” said Alas as he shared his phone conversation two weeks ago with Compton. “I told coach Alex that Phoenix Fuel called me, sabi ko na baka hindi na dumating pa uli itong opportunity.”