Alaska import impressive but still not in game shape, admits coach Luigi Trillo

With less than three weeks before the Governors’ Cup tips off, pressure is on the Alaska Aces to follow up their title run from the last conference.

Import Wendell McKines arrived last Saturday, and coach Luigi Trillo said there’s a lot of expectations on the French league veteran to deliver after the Aces won the Commissioner’s Cup.

“He knows he’s got big shoes to fill,” Trillo told InterAKTV. “Not only because he will take the place of Rob Dozier, who won the Best Import last conference, but he will also take the spot of the import who gave us a championship.”

Trillo liked what he saw in McKines, but admits the import is not yet in game shape.

“He’s OK in the half court game, but when running up and down, he was grasping for air,” said Trillo. “I think he needs a couple more weeks to get back in shape because he’s two months without basketball.”

But Trillo likes the potential of McKines, who can bolster the Aces’ frontcourt for the third conference.

“I would like him to play the No. 4 spot because I know he has an advantage there, considering the fact that he went up against bigger players in France,” said Trillo.

“It’s up to the other players to play multiple roles, guys like Calvin (Abueva), Gabby Espinas and Dondon Hontiveros.”

Source: Rey Joble, InterAKTV