Alas steps down as Letran coach
Make it a double whammy for the Letran community.
Moments after getting foiled by San Beda College 67-39 Friday in their winner-take-all match for the NCAA Season 88 seniors’ cage crown, Louie Alas made a stunning decision of stepping down as the Knights head coach.
“Hindi na muna ako (mag-co-coach) next season,” disclosed Alas.
“Magpapahinga na muna ako. It’s irrevocable and it’s time to move on.”
Alas, 49, who has steered the Intramuros-based camp to three titles, stated he has earlier informed his players regarding his decision and he’s leaving it up all to the school management to hire his replacement.
“Nasabi ko na sa (mga) players matagal na. Nung start pa lang ng season, naisip ko na ‘yung last season ko na ‘to with the team. Dapat ang coaching, mga five years lang dahil familiar ka na sa lahat ng pasikot-sikot sa team,” he said.
Alas, who compiled a win-loss record of 125-64 in his 12-year stint with Letran, currently serves as an assistant to Alaska head coach Luigi Trillo in the pro league and that leaves him with a big dilemma–notably in his time with his family.
“Nag-sa-suffer ang relationship ko with my sons. Gusto kong magkaroon ng relationship sa family,” he lamented.
Alas failed in his bid to help his sons Kevin and Jun-Jun, along with the rest of the Knights, regain the men’s title that Letran last won in 2005.
“I really love Letran pero pwede naman sila magkaroon ng maayos na coach. Maiintindihan ako ng school pag sinabi ko sa kanila, kung may pupuntahan akong ibang school, Letran pa din,” he said.
Though he’ll no longer call the shots for the Knights next season, Alas, this early, has made himself available as the team’s consultant, saying: “By December ‘yung timeframe para maayos ang papers ko. I-re-rekomenda ko ang sarili ko as consultant and if may ire-recommend ako (for the coaching post), una na doon ang mga assistants ko.”
Serving as Alas’ assistants were long-time deputy Justino Pinat, former league MVP Ronjay Enrile, Kristoffer Reyes and Eugene Tan.
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