WE, NOT ME
For Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton, there is no way the Alaska Aces will go through drastic changes — system and roster alike — to fast track their desired success.
This claim of Compton came after yet another unfortunate conference for Alaska, this time in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, in which they blew a twice-to-beat edge against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
As the storied franchise bowed out this early in the All-Filipino playoffs, it will also mark the first time in three years that the Aces’ playoff run is halted, after having been in the Finals in four out of the last seven conferences — two of them in the two previous Philippine Cup finals.
Given the circumstances, the Aces can use those reasons to undergo even the tiniest of adjustments, especially for their roster. However, the 42-year-old mentor thinks otherwise, saying that it is not the way they do things in Alaska.
“I love my guys. We lost, we got beaten, I still love my guys. I know a lot of fans… It’s fun to maybe write and think about, because a lot of people get involved in fantasy, but it’s human beings in that locker room that you invested in teaching certain things. [So] to just move them around like they’re pieces and throw ’em away, it’s not that easy. We have a real family feel. We don’t look to discard guys.
“We’ll try to get better, but in terms of tearing everything down, that’s not an easy process,” iterated the 10-year coach.
Looking back in this year’s All-Filipino cup, the Aces actually had a notable run during the eliminations, finishing the round with a 7-4 slate — all while coping without Chris Banchero and Nonoy Baclao due to injuries.
It is just the opening salvo of the three-conference 43rd season, but it has already been a tough one for Alaska. And even Compton was in awe with how the All-Filipino Cup turned out, especially with how the competition has become stiff.
“I think what you guys see — and I’d like to congratulate the PBA on this — is great parity,” said Compton. “It’s just tough to win in the PBA… Especially with 12 teams as competitive as it is now. It’s not easy. So we gotta value stuff more.”
Now that the Philippine Cup has wrapped up, all that Alaska will do next is to gear up for the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup. But before doing so, the team will give themselves a much-needed break, according to the veteran coach.
“I want to go tonight,” quipped Compton. “So, we’ll have probably close to two weeks. We had a banged up conference, but… I want to say this. No excuses.
“So we’ll try to heal up a little bit. We’re working on our imports, we don’t have one locked down. We’ll see what happens.”
