Luigi Trillo named Bolts head coach, Black, Vucinic consultants

A NEW era has dawned for Meralco in the PBA with the appointment of Luigi Trillo as the Bolts’ head coach.

The Bolts promoted the long-time assistant in an announcement yesterday, taking the place of Norman Black, who’s now the designated team consultant in a major development to kickstart the PBA offseason.

In the same coaching rigodon, Meralco named Serbian-Kiwi mentor Nenad Vucinic as active consultant.

Meralco paid gratitude to Mr. Black for almost a decade of tenure since taking over in 2014, and welcomed Meesrs. Trillo and Vucinic to their new positions. It’s a head coaching return for Mr. Trillo since his stint with Alaska from 2011-2014, highlighted by a championship in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.

“We thank coach Norman (Black) for his unwavering commitment and the indelible mark he has left on the organization. We are also grateful to have coach Nenad (Vucinic) and coach Luigi (Trillo)  taking on new roles in leading the Bolts,” said team manager Paolo Trillo.

Mr. Black, an 11-time champion coach who steered Meralco to contender status marked by four finals appearances, thanked the organization as he looks forward to his new role.

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Meralco management and the MVP group for supporting myself and the Bolts,” said Mr. Black,

“In addition, I wish to thank the players and my coaching staff for their hard work and positive attitudes in their efforts to make the team successful over the years. I now look forward to helping the team in my capacity as team consultant in our continued quest to bring a championship to the Meralco franchise.”

FIBERXERSMeanwhile, Converge acquired Mike Nieto from Rain or Shine in exchange for two second-round picks in 2024 and 2025 for its another offseason move.

The FiberXers last month traded Abu Tratter and David Murrell to Magnolia for Adrian Wong and this year’s first-round pick. — John Bryan Ulanday