Alex Compton vows not to give their opponents a chance
by Justin Pisuena
Noong bumalik si June Mar Fajardo sa kanyang koponan mula sa pagkaka-injured niya, laking gulat ng koponan ng Alaska Aces noong game 5. Isang panalo na lang sana ng Alaska Aces ay magiging kampeon na sana sila at matapos lumipas ang isang araw sa pagtatapos ng game 6 ay naaksidente si Alex Compton.
“I was in a certain area walking to the entrance of somewhere and a glass door just broke and fell on my head, knocked me down,” ani Compton.
“I had some cuts on my body, and I was sitting there a little dizzy at first, my head hurt and bleeding a bit.”
“But all I was thinking was breakthrough. That was the breakthrough we needed. We broke through the glass. I’ll take some lucks with my team, but I’ll take it as a breakthrough, a prophetic sign.”
Kinakailangang paghandaan ng Alaska Aces ang magiging laban nila sa huling pagkakataon kontra sa San Miguel sa Huwebes ng gabi para sa game 8 sa Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s a one-game knockout for the All-Filipino Championship. It’s like deja vu all over again. We’re back on Wednesday in MOA against the best team in the league, which has the momentum on their side, and they’re rested, with their best players healthy,” sabi pa ni Compton.
“The only other times we lost three straight was last conference in the Finals against San Miguel and my first conference when we’re still trying to establish our program.”
“That’s something you don’t get used to as a competitor. I don’t like losing, but were playing a great, well-coached team. Stuff happens. How do you respond? It’s always our challenges as coaches, to see guys get life lessons from stuff. I hope we get it and step up.”
Hindi na nagdahilan si Compton sa pagkakatalo ng koponan niya noong napakalaki na ng advantage nila noong una sapagkat isinanay na niya, nag-ensayo at inihanda ang kanyang koponan para sa game 7.“We got to play. We have no excuses for the hole we’re in. We’re playing an excellent, well-coached team that has played in the last three games. It’s a one-game toss-up. We’ll see what happens,” Ani niya.
Tinatanggap ni Compton ang challenge at hindi niya bibigyan ng pagkakataon na madagdagan ng San Miguel ang history nito sa Philippine basketball.
“I get excited about this stuff,” sabi niya. “I have a hard head. I’m a believer, I firmly believe in my guys and I love the fact that I got a chance to coach them. My guys are such a great group to coach and I hope I can deliver for them and we play a great game.”
“I still think we got to grab hold of our destiny. One team will make it happen, one won’t make enough plays to make it happen. One team will be champion, one won’t. That’s just how it works. This is a true character game for both teams. It should be pretty exciting.”
