CHICAGO - The heart is wounded, slightly broken. But it is bursting with gratitude despite the uncertainty that lies ahead,
That's the jumble of divergent emotions that Willy Wilson is going through after his exit as head coach of the Phoenix Fuel Masters last Wednesday.
Interviewing him on Thursday felt like reliving one of the eclectic characters on Up In The Air, a beautifully-written film that dealt with the tinderbox of job loss, anger, love, and hope.
READ 'Heartbroken' Wilson licks wounds after sudden Phoenix exit
"I'm so grateful to Phoenix. They've treated me well during my 10 years with the organization."
While admitting that leaving for the US is "a possibility," the Fil-Am from Los Angeles would rather stay in the Philippines where he and his wife are raising three kids.
HOME SWEET HOME.
"This is a place I call home," the 14-year PBA veteran who moved to Manila when he was only 18 years old, said.
With close ties to the community, a modest investment portfolio, and a son going to school at Xavier, the former La Salle Green Archer would like to stay in the PBA and make a decent living while spreading the gospel of basketball.
With his track record and tremendous work ethic, Wilson is an asset to any basketball team.
But between his rise to the top post last August 14 and his dismissal on January 13, Wilson's tenure lasted just 152 days.
Which is puzzling.
In order to succeed, a coach needs a longer runway than a single conference to establish his voice, personnel, and system into a team. Wilson got no such opportunity.
And it begs the question if management had really intended to make him their long-term coach.
GAME OF THRONES.
A source told me that Phoenix had offered the head-coaching position to Aldin Ayo twice, including one as recent as last month.
But team governor Raymond Zorrila was reportedly cold to the idea and the deal did not push through.
I sent a text message to Zorilla requesting an interview. He did not respond.
Team manager Paolo Bugia, meanwhile, explained that "the decision to seemingly change abruptly our coaching staff stems from the fact that we haven't been winning."
With Ayo out of the picture, Charles Tiu has emerged as the top contender.
"I'm considering Phoenix. Will decision soon," the Benilde and Strong Group Athletics (SGA) coach told me.
With rumors of a new entity out to help bankroll the Fuel Masters, a sort of Game of Thrones appears to take place at Phoenix.
And coach Willy Wilson, an All-Star good guy, was shoved aside like a dispensable pawn.
It's not always fair in life and basketball.
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