San Miguel did not take too kindly to what Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton had to say about the stacked Beermen.
In a story run by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Friday, Compton rued how San Miguel were able to make their team stronger even given success for the last four Philippine Cups.
“There was San Miguel for three Finals. And June Mar (Fajardo) was always an issue,” Compton lamented.
“Then they added Christian (Standhardinger) and now they added Terrence (Romeo). Kawawa ang liga.”
Prior to the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft, San Miguel had acquired the first overall pick after shipping Ronald Tubid, Jay-R Reyes, Rashaw McCarthy, and their 2019 first round pick to the Kia Picanto for Standhardinger.
Then a week after the 2018 Draft, the Beermen figured in a trade with the TNT Katropa that saw Romeo sent to San Miguel in exchange for David Semerad, Brian Heruela, as well as San Miguel’s 2021 first round draft pick.
In a statement, San Miguel blasted Compton’s remarks, saying that the Alaska franchise had multiple chances to reshape its lineup when it figured in transactions that sent away the likes of RJ Jazul and Calvin Abueva.
“As the flagship team of the San Miguel Corporation (SMC), it is incumbent upon the Beermen to keep on improving its team lineup every year to make it even more competitive and win more championships for the benefit of its fans who expect nothing less,” the statement opened.
“It is unfortunate that Alaska team head coach Alex Compton had to make a statement against the Beermen and the league when he actually traded away competent players like RJ Jazul and Calvin Abueva.
“It is also widely known that Terrence Romeo was offered to all the PBA teams before he was traded to San Miguel Beermen,” it noted.
“Despite Mr. Compton’s unnecessary remarks, we are still excited about what the future holds for PBA, our teams and the fans,” it rued.
“Each PBA team has a responsibility to create the right chemistry and harness talents to come up with a formidable squad. This league has a gone a long way in providing entertainment and appreciation for this great sport and for that we thank all the people who have been a part in building it.”
San Miguel debuts their rejigged lineup on Friday afternoon when they face the Columbian Dyip at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
