CHICAGO - Despite a 5-6 won-lost record and a pair of suspensions, Ateneo coach Louie Alas will have the full support of the university.
But in order for him to keep his job beyond UAAP Season 89, the embattled coach has a specific threshold of success to meet.
"He needs to take the Blue Eagles to this year's Final Four," a source with knowledge of the situation told me on Monday night.
READ Suspended Ateneo coach Louie Alas issues public apology
Appointed on an interim capacity last July 10, replacing Tab Baldwin, Alas' tenure ends in May 2027, co-terminus with school president Fr. Bobby Yap.
While some rough sailing was expected in the wake of a drowning tragedy that led to Baldwin's exit, nobody could have imagined the Blue Eagles' ship to be half-submerged after 11 games.
SOLID LINEUP
Led by veteran Jared Bahay and star rookie Kieffer Alas, plus a slew of talents across multiple positions, Ateneo is a much better team than its 5-6 mark reflects.
Instead, they are gasping for air and needing to win two of their last three assignments and hope that La Salle, UST and FEU finish poorly in their remaining games.
Alas, through his son, Kevin, "respectfully declined" my request for an interview.
In the event of a coaching change, one candidate will be quickly anointed, if he wants the job.
"The bosses will push for Jimmy Alapag," an insider within the tightly knit MVP said.
HEIR APPARENT.
"It's not a surprise," a former Blue Eagles coach said. "He's the golden boy who has NBA credentials and is doing really well in the PBA."
Named head coach of NLEX this past June 29, Alapag quickly turned the Road Warriors into a legit powerhouse with serious title aspirations.
The Road Warriors are in the semifinals of the ongoing PBA Governors' Cup where they are poised to battle Converge in a best-of-7 series.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
