New Phoenix coach Willy Wilson admitted that the role is something that will take time for him to get accustomed to.
‘It’s something that I’m growing into. It’s still something that I’m adjusting to,’ Wilson said during the recent PBA Media Day. ‘As far as how long before I become comfortable, I really don’t know.’
Tapped by Fuel Masters to call the shots for the upcoming PBA 50th season, Wilson has been harping on being ‘collaborative’ and sticking with mostly the things being implemented by his predecessor Jamike Jarin, who is now the team’s consultant.
But he and Phoenix have goals of improving from the past four conferences of missing the playoffs, including all three in Season 49, with a youth-laden lineup and anchored by Jason Perkins, one of the league’s best forwards.
While he tries to do that, the former PBA veteran and La Salle product will take slow steps before getting a sense of getting used to the demanding role of calling the shots and managing a PBA team.
‘I don’t know how long it took for other coaches and other head coaches to be comfortable with the position,’ he said. ‘But I’m not really looking down the road, I’m just looking at the next step right in front of me, and trying to be the best at taking that step.’
Aside from Perkins, the Fuel Masters have sophomore forward Kai Ballungay, third-year mainstays Tyler Tio, Kenneth Tuffin and Ricci Rivero while big man Dave Ando enters his rookie season.
Phoenix still has veterans in RJ Jazul and RR Garcia to provide leadership.
The Fuel Masters posted a victory over NLEX, lost to Magnolia and blew a big lead before settling for a draw with NorthPort during the preseason.