A truly shocking report emerged recently that the Alaska Aces were about to move on from head coach Alex Compton after four seasons, and that assistant coach Jeffrey Cariaso would take over the franchise’s coaching reins.
The reason for the “move”, as per the report, is Compton’s failure to bring the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup title. The Aces lost to the Magnolia Hotshots, extending the franchise’s Finals record to 0-5 since Compton took over in 2014.
But team owner Wilfred Uytengsu has squashed the rumor, going as far as saying that it was “fake news.”
Compton is also still firmly with the franchise. He called the shots in Alaska’s 2019 Philippine Cup debut versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Sunday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
For his part, Compton said that he is unconcerned with the story.
“I’m not worried actually,” said the fifth-year Alaska head coach, who was in his hometown of Wisconsin taking care of his parents when the report broke out.
Compton has no reason to expect he will be booted out from the franchise he’s been serving since 2012. He knows how the bosses – especially Uytengsu – do things. After all, Alaska have always been about being a family.
“The biggest thing is knowing who Fred is and how he is. He’s the type of guy I can – with a heart full of faith – say if that time comes, when that time comes, he will sit me down and look me in the eye and tell me.
“That’s Fred. He’s awesome to work for. He will sit me down and tell me when it’s time. And then, when it is, if it is, whatever happens, then great. But I know I can trust that. Really… I can trust him hundred percent so,” he added.
Compton has bigger concerns, including their season debut, which they lost, 72-85.
“Last time I checked, I was just coaching the game. But we just lost and shot twenty-nine-percent. So I don’t know, I might get a phone call later,” he quipped.
“So we just have some work to do. I’ve been gone. That FIBA break’s gonna help us out.”
