THOUGH he is going up against a tough competitor on the opposite side, Alaska coach Alex Compton still managed to give credit where credit is due.
After starting the best-of-seven finale of the 2015-16 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup with a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 lead, the Aces suddenly found themselves on the ropes and now with only a single chance to win the championship after San Miguel dramatically racked up three straight wins to level the series a 3-3.
While fans praised Best Player of the Conference June Mar Fajardo’s return and the improved contributions from the other Beermen as main factors in this improbable San Miguel Beer run, Compton commended his coaching opposition Leo Austria for his part in the defending champion’s resurgence.
Compton believes that Austria’s fingerprints were all over the three wins that San Miguel has racked up in the series.
‘’I would like to commend Coach Leo Austria,’’ said Compton. ‘’He’s a good coach and he deserves credit for what San Miguel is doing. He’s doing a great job.’’
As for his thoughts on who has the pressure entering Game 7 tomorrow, where the championship will be on the line, Compton didn’t hesitate in pointing towards the Beermen’s direction.
‘’I think the pressure is really on them,’’ he said. ‘’They’re the defending champions.’’
Compton obviously wants to cop a 15th championship for Alaska and end its 16-year All-Filipino conference drought as well as avoid being at the wrong side of a potential historic feat that San Miguel is gunning for.
The Beermen can put themselves in the history books as the first ever team in the PBA, and perhaps anywhere, to comeback from a 0-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series and win it.
Of course, Compton and his Aces have other plans.
‘’All is not lost for us. We still have one shot at the championship and I’m hoping this can be our time,’’ said Compton.
The deciding Game 7 is set tomorrow, 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.