WILLY Wilson is set to return to active duty for Phoenix Pulse after getting a crash course on coaching last conference.
Wilson, 39, gained invaluable knowledge in the coaching ranks by acting as an unofficial assistant coach for the Fuel Masters while recovering from surgery to remove bone spurs in his right knee that kept him out of the entire Philippine Cup.
“The team did really well last conference without my contributions on the court. I kinda took more of, I’d say, an assistant coaching role last conference to kinda prepare me maybe for what’s to come after basketball," said the former La Salle standout.
“With that approach that I took last conference, and now shifting back to being one of the guys, it feels like I’ve just got playing but the conditioning part is difficult especially at my age. It’s harder to come back, get back into the swing of things,” Wilson added.
Wilson unwittingly became part of the staff of the Phoenix staff after coach Louie Alas asked him to stay with the assistant coaches during a halftime huddle to discuss adjustments in one game.
“I didn’t ask for that role last conference. It was kinda Coach Louie during halftime of one game where the coaches usually talk strategy, what adjustments we need to make, and he asked me to stay with the coaches. It happened every game.”
Wilson said he is still trying to learn the coaching side of things and combine it with the knowledge he has gained from 15 years of playing at the top level.
“You know you’re more of the outside-looking-in approach. Obviously there are things that you want to do physically, but since you are not physically able to do it for the players, you have to communicate verbally more. That was different for me. It was actually good for me to see things from the coaches’ perspective,” said Wilson.
Wilson, though, made it clear his focus right now is still on playing. But he likes the idea of being a coach someday.
"With regards to formally coaching, that sounds good. The idea of being an assistant coach sounds great but that is something that I will have to discuss with my family and there hasn’t been an official offer to me as far as this is the plan after basketball. The topic has been brought up but there’s nothing in writing,” he said.
“I would love to stay in the company in whatever form. Under what position, that’s still to be determined.”
For now, his focus on his comeback with the Fuel Masters.
“I’m still playing. Let’s not put the cart before the horse. As of now, I’m focused on contributing as a player and doing the best I can, whatever it may be – on the court, on the sideline, in whatever aspect, I just want to help the team continue the trend,” said Wilson.
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