Coach Wilson It Is: Willy Wilson Now an Assistant Coach with Phoenix

From this point on, Willy Wilson can be called as Coach Willy.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters have a new assistant coach in the form and shape of one-time PBA champion, Willy Wilson after it was announced by Phoenix Head Coach Louie Alas. Wilson, who just retired from the PBA after a 15-year career that saw him win a championship in the 2008 Fiesta Conference. He was also included in the PBA All-Defensive Team back in 2011. And that alone could give as a clue as to what aspect of basketball Wilson will try to impart to the team in the upcoming 45^th season of the PBA.

According to Louie Alas himself, Wilson’s primary role as an assistant coach is to coach the team’s big men as even though he stands at 6’ 3’’, he became one of the league’s premier defenders, especially against taller guys. In other words, his inclusion to the All-Defensive Team speaks for itself.

How this development will help Phoenix move forward?

For one, being a La Salle product during his playing days in the UAAP could work to his advantage as he can assist in furthermore developing Jason Perkins into one of the best big guys in the league- both offensively and most importantly, defensively. Aside from Perkins, Wilson can help the likes of Justin Chua, Dave Marcelo, Jepoy Napoles, and Jake Pascual in terms of upping their respective games. But we can expect Coach Willy to focus on developing Perkins furthermore and we can expect results right during the season-opening Philippine Cup which is scheduled to start on March 1.

The fact that Wilson wants to stay at Phoenix in whatever capacity that the franchise will give to him is an indication that even though he has already retired from playing in the professional ranks, he isn’t ready to leave the PBA just yet. Having said that, we can expect seeing Coach Willy in the sidelines for Phoenix when the season comes around next month. And don’t be surprised to him draw plays whenever Louie Alas hands him the clipboard. After all, he already admitted that “coaching sounds good to him”.

Photo is from tnt.abante.com.ph