Alaska trying to regain form, banking on new talents
As the new PBA year opens, Alex Compton is just happy that Calvin Abueva and Carl Bryan Cruz are back in their fold.
And why wouldn’t he? With their new hooping year about to unfold, the thirdyear Aces coach said they’re on the phase of polishing the little kinks, so when the new season catches fire, they’ve become better.
“We’re not in shape yet,” he shared a week leading up to their first PBA game in the 43rd season. “We’re working on certain things. But I’m happy with the energy and positivity of the guys to start.”
Compton and the Aces, following deep runs in the 2016 season, found themselves scrambling for stability in 2017. After a second-place finish in the Philippine Cup, Alaska struggled to even qualify for the playoffs.
But with new talent infused to their crew, Compton believes they can regain the edge — and swagger — they’re known for.
Alaska snared Jeron Teng and Davon Potts in the November draft, giving them versatile players in the wings. According to Compton, the two rookies — who come from renowned basketball programs La Salle and San Beda — tout a vast basketball IQ, which he deems essential for them in the long haul.
“Both of our rookies seem like they have good basketball intelligence,” Compton said. "That's one of the things that surprised me most about both of them — it looks like they can learn fairly quickly, which I think is a tremendous strength. As the year goes on you'll see them getting better and better.”
But like many teams, their road to reclaim their spot in the PBA’s food chain goes through the usual suspects: the Hotshots, KaTropa, the Gin Kings and of course, reigning Philippine Cup titlists Beermen.
"Star and TNT — we're in all three semis, they're a little bit in that upper tier. And then you have San Miguel and Ginebra in a separate [tier]. If you're looking at eight teams there, I really think any of those teams can beat each other,” Compton shared.
And he knows much work is yet to be done. But for now, he’ll enjoy Abueva and Cruz’s presence back in his team's fold. And or course, the much needed rest that could erase the bitter taste of last season.
“After last season, we just needed rest. We needed time away,” he noted.
Alaska will get to have their clean slate when they open their All-Filipino campaign against the rebranded Magnolia Hotshots in the top billing of the Wednesday affair at San Juan Arena.