A day after being fired as Phoenix Super LPG head coach, Louie Alas had nothing but gratitude to the management.
“Coaching the Phoenix Fuelmasters the past three years has been a great honor and privilege to me, and I thank the entire management, headed by boss Dennis A. Uy for giving me all the support during my tenure,” said Alas, who first coached Phoenix in 2017, replacing Ariel Vanguardia.
Alas was suspended for 15 days by the team last Aug. 27 for breach of health and safety guidelines during the team’s training resumption, a suspension that led to his eventual firing.
Alas' deputy Topex Robinson has been promoted to head coach.
“I wish coach Topex and the entire team nothing but the best in their future endeavors,” added the former Letran head coach, who has won many titles in the National Collegiate Athletic Association before serving as an assistant coach to Alaska’s ex-head coach Alex Compton, along with Robinson.
Alas, 56, who didn’t say anything against Phoenix, understands the situation and the management’s decision.
Alas’ best performance under Phoenix was last season when the Fuel Masters topped the elimination round of the Philippine Cup, but they were beaten by reigning champion San Miguel Beer in five matches in an exhausting semifinal series.