THIS is how a team works.
Meralco mentor Luigi Trillo paid tribute to the entire team coaching staff including active consultant Nenad Vucinic for working together despite the unusual setup which eventually led to the Bolts winning their first ever PBA championship in last season's Philippine Cup.
Trillo acknowledged the collective effort each and every member of the staff that also included deputies Gene Afable, Reynel Hugnatan, and Sandro Soriano, along with former head coach and now team consultant Norman Black, contributed to the success of the Bolts in the final conference of Season 48.
For its success, the entire Meralco coaching staff was the recipient of the Virgilio 'Baby' Dalupan Coach of the Year trophy during the 30th PBA Press Corps Awards Night on Tuesday at the Novotel Manila in Araneta City.
It's the first time in the history of the Press Corps where an entire coaching staff and not an individual coach was named winner of the award named after the acknowledged 'Maestro' of Philippine basketball coaching.
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"It's a combined effort. To me, showing each other respect, pressing the buttons. We will debate, we will talk but we will find ways pa rin, then we will back each other up," said Trillo in accepting the award.
Trillo shares coaching duties with Vucinic since being named as full-time coach of the franchise last season, succeeding Black.
The setup has been tried several times in the past including Todd Purves and Biboy Ravanes at Petron, Rajko Toroman and Bong Ramos with Barako Bull, and just recently Mark Dickel with Bong Ravena ta TNT.
None of them found success in the formula until Meralco came along the way.
"I think people don't know how hard it is to come out on top with a dynamic like that. I'm so proud of the work," said Trillo, who actually won Coach of the Year award as an individual during his time with Alaska when he steered the franchise to its last league title during the 2013 Commissioner's Cup.
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"I have the highest respect for coach Nenad, the way he acts, the way he treats people, and my guys I have the highest respect for the coaching staff.
"We just have to keep the ball rolling."
For his part, Vucinic, 59, gave credit to the Meralco players for making the system worked.
"I'd like to thank the players. They had to put up with a lot of things from us and we've been very demanding of them. I'm glad that they trusted the process and went on to win the championship," said the Serbian active consultant.
