Louie Alas is bringing two former staff members in Letran along with Topex Robinson as he assumes the head coaching position at Phoenix Petroleum in lieu of Ariel Vanguardia.
Alas has tapped in Mel Alas and Kris Reyes to compose his think tank along with Robinson and holdover assistant coach Nic Belasco.
"I'm also talking to one veteran coach. We're still negotiating for his contract," said Alas, whose appointment as new Phoenix head coach was announced by the team management Thursday.
Also moving from Alaska to Phoenix is Robinson, now making a noise in coaching with his perfect showing with the Lyceum Pirates in the elimination round of the current NCAA season.
"(Alas and Robinson) represent two of the brightest coaching minds in the game today and we feel fortunate that they will be leading the future of our team as well as other basketball related activities," said Phoenix top official Raymond Zorrilla.
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"The management is elated with these changes and are expecting a different Fuel Masters team in terms of attitude, passion, intensity and pride in each game they play," Zorrilla added.
Alas and Robinson were actually under contract with Alaska up to 2019.
"Yes they do have contracts until 2019. It would be up to the management if we allow them to transfer which we did," said Alaska team manager Dickie Bachmann.
Jeffrey Cariaso has been elevated to being the first assistant coach at Alaska on Alas' and Robinson's departure.
"Maraming plano, first is on the drafting. Then there will be player movements, pero minor lang," said Alas.
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Alas, who suited up with the Adamson Falcons in his collegiate playing years, is the third man to call the shots at Phoenix after Koy Banal and Vanguardia.
He's making a return stint in the PBA as head coach after holding the rein at Mobiline (now TNT KaTropa) in 2000-2001.
