FOUR finals appearances in the six conferences that he’s handled Alaska so far ain’t that bad for Alex Compton.
The 42-year-old mentor has earned the respect of his peers in the Philippine Basketball Association for the job he is doing with the Aces.
Even though Alaska has just lost for the fourth straight time in the PBA finals this last Commissioner’s Cup, it seemed that most in the league haven’t lost faith on Compton and his coaching abilities.
No less than Rain or Shine owner Raymond Yu praised Compton for what he’s been doing for Alaska and said that he himself, along with the Rain or Shine management, believes in the Aces’ mentor’s competency.
“I think Coach Alex (Compton) will win strings of championships in the future. Bilib kami diyan, magaling yan,” said Yu.
That came from someone who directly hired Compton back in Rain or Shine’s early days as the tactician started his coaching career as an assistant for the Elasto Painters back in 2007, before eventually finding his way to where he is today with Alaska.
Even Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao commended Alaska and its coach, saying that the Aces will remain a force in the PBA in the foreseeable future.
“Alaska is the team of the future,” said Guiao. “Coach Alex is doing a really great job with Alaska and I’m sure he’ll continue that and we’ll see them much more in the big stage moving forward.”
To show its faith to Compton, Alaska already locked up its coach and had him sign a guaranteed three-year contract extension just before the finals of the recently concluded Commissioner’s Cup.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra slotman Greg Slaughter is set to undergo surgery any time this week to be able to fix his problematic ankle.
Slaughter’s ankle woes have been bothering him since halfway of last season and his doctors suggested he should go under the knife for it to be in tip-top shape again.
With this, Slaughter is set to undergo rehab and he will miss action for quite a stretch, skipping a stint with Gilas Pilipinas, which will play in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July. He will also miss the remainder of the PBA season, the Governors’ Cup which starts mid-July.
The Gin Kings will play the season-ending conference without their star center.