MERALCO’S improbable rise to the top proved to be a good one for the PBA in its battle against a spate of controversies, most notably parity.
For starters, 14 of the last 17 champions in the last eight years came from San Miguel Corporation, with San Miguel Beer winning 7 titles; Ginebra six; and Magnolia one.
TNT, the MVP group’s flagship franchise, won two crowns in that same span, while the last independent squad to win it all was Rain or Shine in the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup in 2016.
The Bolts’ riveting 4-2 Philippine Cup finals win over the Beermen, capped by a nail-biting 80-78 decision in Game 6 of their title battle last Sunday night, was a breath of fresh air for the pro league.
They also did it with a new face calling the shots for the team along with coach Luigi Trillo–active consultant Nenad Vucinic.
But the Serbian-Kiwi tactician, initially tasked to serve as consultant to former Gilas Pilipinas strategist Tab Baldwin, nearly opted to forget Philippine basketball after his “good friend” stepped down at the helm of the Nationals in 2022.
“At that time, there was some politics around Gilas,” Vucinic said. “I have to be honest, Tab Baldwin, he had a program at that time, and I came because of him. He is my friend and I tried to help him and when he lost the job, I really wanted to go home,” he added.
After Baldwin asked Vucinic to stay, the latter also got the chance to coach the Philippine five in 2022–a short-lived stint. He did it while being a consultant to the Bolts as well.
“Usually, you don’t do that (staying). I spoke to coach Tab, and he asked me to stay and help coach Chot (Reyes) and Gilas because he does have the Gilas program at heart as well and I stayed,” Vucinic said.
“Then, there were some issues. There were some public things between coach Tab and Gilas, and I said I could not stay there anymore. But I have full respect for the SBP, of course Gilas, and I wish them all the best.”
Vucinic got an offer to return to Meralco as consultant anew with former tactician Norman Black before Trillo was named new coach in the summer of last year.
Vucinic’s European-style system of coaching with pace and space and player movements, and emphasis on defense also brought down Ginebra in the semifinals.
There was an opposition from local coaches and cage officials of allowing foreigners to handle teams in the country.
