Coaching career
Adamson
In 1999, he joined the Adamson Falcons and, at 23 years old, became the youngest head coach in the UAAP at the time. His inexperience showed as the Soaring Falcons did not win a game in his first two seasons with the team at 0-28.[5]Those first two years were really trying times for me because, remember, you're inheriting a team that's in last place and then we had to recruit,", he said as he explained the early parts of his 4 and a half years with Adamson.[4]
Alaska (Cone's assistant)
While at Adamson, he was also offered by coach Tim Cone, who was then his neighbor, to be his assistant coach at Alaska, which he accepted.[6] He juggled learning about coaching through the UAAP and with the Alaska franchise. He helped his team to steer 4 championships for the team.
Alaska
In 2012, he left Cebuana and took over the coaching duties of Alaska, replacing Joel Banal.[8] The Elasto Painters spoiled his debut in a score of 107–100 but the Aces recovered and won 104–84 on their game vs. Barako Bull Energy.[9][10]
During the 2012–13 season (Trillo's first full season), he quite made an impression around the league by battling the eventual champions Talk N' Text Tropang Texters to six games during the 2012–13 PBA Philippine Cup semis. In the 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup, he helped the Aces win its 14th and final championship in franchise history, the first in the post-Tim Cone era. His team also came within a game of ousting the eventual champion San Mig Coffee Mixers in the quarterfinals of the 2013 PBA Governors Cup. Because of his achievements, he was awarded as the 2012–13 PBA Coach of the Year by the PBA Press Corps.[11]
But two games into the 2014 PBA Governors' Cup, he stepped down as head coach of Alaska.[12]
Meralco
Norman Black's assistant
He was hired as an assistant to Norman Black at Meralco.[12]
In July 6, 2022, he was appointed as interim coach while Norman Black was taking a leave. Trillo guided the team into a win against Rain or Shine.[15] In July 31, 2022, he led the Bolts to defeat Barangay Ginebra in Game 3 of the best of three quarterfinals series. This is the first time that the team defeated Ginebra in a playoff series.[16] He coached the team until August 3, 2022, when Black returned from overseas.[17]