[ad_1]
Phoenix Super LPG severed ties with coach Louie Alas on Friday after two seasons highlighted by a strong semi-final appearance during the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.
Fuel Masters said in a statement that assistant Topex Robinson will take over on an interim basis after management decided to “discontinue” Alas’s service.
“With the possibility of a PBA restart, the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters have begun discussions on their future plans. After much deliberation, management decided to suspend the services of Mr. Louie Alas as head coach, ”the team said.
“In the meantime, Management has appointed Associate Head Coach Topex Robinson to assume the duties of Head Coach on an interim basis until then. We believe in Coach Topex’s ability to lead this team and we look forward to the revival of Fuel Masters as one of the league’s exciting contenders. “
Alas was fired the day he was supposed to return from a 15-day suspension imposed by the team for violating safety protocols during practice.
The three-time NCAA champion mentor with Letran and the architect of the 1999 Manila Metrostars’ MBA title race, he led the Fuel Masters to a 35-39 record during his first term as PBA coach.
The highlight of his season was when he led Phoenix to a semi-final at the 2019 Philippine Cup with a roster driven by Calvin Abueva, Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins.
Phoenix went 9-2 to lead the eliminations before losing to eventual champion San Miguel Beer 4-1.
It remains the best result for the franchise since he entered the league in 2016.
But the Fuel Masters struggled in the next two conferences after Abueva was suspended indefinitely for a pair of misconduct in the first half of the Commissioner’s Cup.
Alas was supposed to begin his third season as Phoenix bench strategist, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to suspend games.
The firing prompted his son, NLEX guard Kevin Alas, to lash out at Phoenix management via a Facebook post.
“You didn’t defend your suspended player, so you don’t renew several of your players this year. Some simply cannot speak because, of course, they are thinking of their families. I understand this is a business, but man, don’t expect to win if this is how you treat your employees, like they are disposables, ”said Alas.
“Really blessed to play under an organization that treats me with love and respect,” added Alas, who has since deleted his post.
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY NEWSLETTER
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
[ad_2]
