With Trillo’s appointment at Alaska, Lastimosa keeping options open

Photo courtesy of Butchik SyCip-Lastimosa

With Luigi Trillo’s appointment as new coach of the Alaska Aces, Jojo Lastimosa’s status with the franchise has become uncertain.

Lastimosa previously served as the chief assistant of Joel Banal, who resigned from his post as Alaska coach to pave the way for Trillo’s appointment.

“I’m still with Alaska as we speak now,” Lastimosa told InterAKTV Monday shortly after the announcement of Trillo’s appointment. “But I’m keeping my options open. We’ll see.”

Trillo and Lastimosa were both considered to replace Banal, who took over for Tim Cone just last September. Alaska owner Fred Uytengsu ultimately decided to go with Trillo.

“It was a tough choice because both candidates have a lot to offer and in the end I decided to go with Luigi because he has had head coaching experience in the PBL and the D-League. Joaqui inhibited himself in the final decision because he was conflicted being Luigi’s father,” said Uytengsu in a statement.

Lastimosa had a hand in Alaska’s decision to do away with the triangle offense before the start of the Commissioner’s Cup. Trillo told InterAKTV that he will reinstall the offense upon taking over the team.

Uytengsu said he expects Lastimosa to continue to carry on his duties with the squad.

“I believe Jojo will continue to be a team player and because he has a lot to offer from his playing experience and also wants to see the Aces resume its winning tradition,” he said.

Trillo, for his part, said he has yet to sit down with Uytengsu about the composition of his coaching staff.

Apart from his post as an assistant coach with the Aces, Lastimosa also serves as camp director of the Alaska Basketball Power Camp, the company’s long-running summer clinic for kids.

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