By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Meralco Bolts franchise just made their biggest move of the ongoing off-season as part of their preparation for the upcoming conference of the 2023 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
In an announcement made by the franchise last May 8, 2023, the team confirmed that they will be promoting coach Luigi Trillo as the team’s new chief tactician, replacing the legendary Norman Black who will now man the consultant post.
Also part of the coaching staff reshuffle is coach Nenad Vucinic’s new role as Meralco’s active consultant effective immediately.
“We thank Coach Norman for his unwavering commitment and the indelible mark he has left on the organization. We are also grateful to have Coach Nenad and Coach Luigi taking on new roles in leading the Bolts,” said Meralco’s team manager Paolo Trillo.
Meralco instantly became a consistent playoff team in the PBA since the arrival of former chief mentor Black in the organization last 2014.
Under Black’s leadership, the Bolts made a total of four grand finals stints but failed to win a single championship title since the 2016 Governor’s Cup conference.
Trillo, who was a part of the Bolts’ talented pool of assistant coaches, was there in all of Meralco’s hardships and is the best candidate to carry on the tradition that coach Black made.
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Meralco management and the MVP group for supporting myself and the Bolts,” said Black in a statement.
As of now, more moves will be expected from several PBA teams including the Bolts as the new conference approaches again after the FIBA World Cup.
