BRANDON Bates established himself as a solid rim protector in his rookie season, swatting away shots that proved instrumental in helping Meralco win its first PBA championship.
Now, he must also protect someone close to Luigi Trillo to keep himself in his head coach’s good graces. That someone happens to be Trillo's eldest daughter Rocio, with whom the 6-foot-9 Bates is having a relationship.
This kind of relationship is probably the first time it has happened in the PBA where a coach's daughter is the girlfriend of one of his players.
READ: Brandon Bates looks back on barista life
Fortunately for Bates, Coach Trillo approves of the relationship, although it might appear awkward because Bate's career may be affected by the perceived bias from a coach who may be accused of favoritism when dealing with the player.
So far, so good.
Trillo has only kind words for Bates, a Filipino-Australian who played for La Salle and had a stint in Australia after his college career.
“I just saw Brandon before nag-court siya kay Rocio," Trillo said. "A lot of good things with Brandon, his feet on the ground, very humble, nakikihalo sa lahat, very, very classy individual.
“You don’t know it’ll materialize, but I’m happy for them,” he added.
Trillo admitted he was surprised when he found out about the pair from his wife, former CNN Philippines anchor Ria Trillo.
“Nakakatawa dun, walang may alam sa team. Syempre malalaman ko rin yun kasi misis ko, si Ria,” coach Luigi recounted.
“Sabi ko, ‘Pano ko gagawin ‘to? Kasi alaskado din ako nito – players, coaches. I think yung first na sinabi ko yata kay coach Norman [Black]. Tapos imbes na he’ll feel for me or mag-worry siya, alam mo yun na parang grade school kami na tinawanan niya ako,” he added with a laugh.
Good-natured ribbing
True enough, Trillo became the target of good-natured ribbing from friends and the PBA community after posting a picture of his family and Bates sharing a meal.
“One day, after ng game, kumain kami sa labas kasama siya. Sabi ko labas ko na lang ‘to sa picture para isang kantiyawan na lang the next day. Right after I posted it, yan na, mga players, sila Bong Quinto, sila Allein [Maliksi], sila New [Chris Newsome],” Trillo said, who added, "It was fun."
Turning serious, the dad of four kids knows Rocio, a UAAP Season 86 courtside correspondent and an AB Diplomacy and International Relations junior at Ateneo, can take care of herself and make the right decisions.
“You wish well for your daughter,” Trillo said. “She’s an adult. She’s 21. Very proud of Rocio. She dorms. She commutes going to Ateneo. She’s very driven. And then strong person yan.”
As for Bates, Trillo keeps it professional in the workplace.
“Minsan, I ref in practice eh. And you can’t favor eh, so minsan hindi ko talaga siya pinipituhan kahit hina-hammer na siya. Pinapabayaan para walang favorites, ‘di ba?” he said with a chuckle.
“But I think anywhere you go, you have to get mad or call them out if they’re not doing well, so I think that’s the best thing I can do,” he was quick to add.
“Nakakatawa lang kasi nakikita ko na siya sa practice. Minsan, kakain kami sa labas, kasama pa rin namin,” he continued.
But a good thing seems to be happening since the two entered into a relationship. Looks like Rocio has brought out the best in Bates, who was nominated for last season’s All-Defensive team.
“Once naging girlfriend na niya si Rocio, biglang gumanda laro niya,” coach Luigi said.
Inside joke
“Nung playoffs, tinutukso nga namin si Rocio, sabi namin, ‘Ats, takutin mo ah.’ It’s a joke around the house, but he’s playing well.”
“In fairness kay coach Nenad [Vucinic], the older vets talking to Brandon also, lumabas yung game niya. And I think he was pivotal. He was able to match up with a lot of really experienced winners on the other side. He held his own. We’re proud of him. And yun lang, mas madaming pressure ngayon sa kanya,” he added with a smile.
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