MANILA – Phoenix made a shocking announcement on Friday night, relieving Louie Alas as its head coach.
“After much deliberation, (the) management has decided to discontinue Mr. Louie Alas’ services as head coach,” the Fuel Masters said in a statement.
The firing of Alas came at an interesting time as he was supposed to return to coaching the team following a club-imposed 15-day suspension on him.
In the Usapang Sports Forum by the Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports, Alas bared that the suspension was due to a violation in the practice protocols set amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, in which he was inside the Fuel Masters’ practice court at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Pasig when it was not supposed to be his turn to conduct player workouts.
However, Phoenix stated that it “has begun discussions on its future plans,” leading to its decision to let go of Alas, who won championships with the Letran Knights in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Manila Metrostars in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association but has yet to succeed in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The Fuel Masters named Topex Robinson as their interim coach for the possible restart of the postponed PBA season, which may take place next month.
Robinson, also the current head coach of Lyceum in the NCAA, will lead Phoenix’s charge “until such time,” although he may finish the season with the pro club as the collegiate league’s 96th season has been pushed to early 2021 due to the health crisis.
“We believe in Coach Topex’s capacity to lead this team and we look forward to the Fuel Masters’ resurgence as one of the league’s exciting contenders,” the Fuel Masters said.