Despite the adversities that struck the Alaska Aces, the team showed their ability to focus amidst the chaos.
And that’s what makes head coach Alex Compton so proud.
The Aces faced some serious issues this season. From star forward Calvin Abueva’s disappearing acts due to personal struggles, to Jeron Teng getting stabbed in a brawl, to a sudden import change late in the conference, the team had really been through rough times.
But that didn’t stop the Aces.
Even with those problems, Alaska managed to stay on top of their game. So much so that they registered the best streak of the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup at seven games, and they headed into the quarters with a twice-to-beat edge.
And on Tuesday night, the Aces booked the first semifinal slot of the conference playoffs by downing the Magnolia Hotshots, 89-78 — their first semis appearance since the 2016 edition of the mid-season joust.
“I’m so proud of my team,” said Compton. “I was telling some coaching friends, I was sitting here next to Tab scouting the Magnolia-San Miguel game and I said… We were 7-1 and then this stuff happens.
“Where in the coaches’ manual does it say when all of those things go array, we’re doing such good things and adversities hit, what do we do? And when those happened, that made me so proud of our guys,” he reflected.
“I didn’t see anything in any of our players other than fight, other than desire. And there’s no excuse-making, no finger-pointing, no looking for alibis. I have no idea what will happen in the semis, but I’m proud of my guys.”
This semis stint, indeed, is truly deserved by a strong team such as the Aces.
