Compton optimistic of Aces turnaround
The PBA’s most successful franchise without a championship in reaching the finals in four of the last five conferences is struggling in the Governors Cup with a 2-5 record but Alaska coach Alex Compton said the other day he’s optimistic of a turnaround sooner than later.
With the league exercising nearly zero tolerance for contact, Alaska’s press isn’t as frightening as before and the Aces are giving up too many fouls in trying to adjust to the policy. As a result, Alaska is No. 1 in average fouls (31.9) and free throws allowed (33.4). In the Aces’ 106-103 loss to San Miguel Beer last Wednesday, Alaska gave up 43 foul shots of which 29 were converted.
Compton said Alaska’s defense is suffering and the stats reflect it. In the Aces’ two wins so far, they’ve yielded only 84.5 points but in their five losses, opponents scored an average of 108.8. The disparity is glaring. Clearly, if Alaska holds opponents down to 90 or less, the probability is the Aces win. But if opponents hit 100 or more, the probability is the Aces lose. The challenge is for Alaska to play consistently tough defense without giving up too many fouls.
Despite the stumble, Compton said the Aces will turn it around. “It won’t be easy but the guys are committed to defend,” he said. “We’re not defending as we should. We’re fouling 85 feet away from the basket, trying to trap and create turnovers with our press. Our defense was fine over the last six conferences but now, all of a sudden, we can’t press the way we used to. We’ve just got to adjust. The calls are the same for all teams anyway, they’ve been consistent so it’s on us to adjust.”
Compton said Alaska’s problem isn’t in offense. “It’s a focus issue,” he said. “Our defense leads to our offense but if we don’t play defense, we’re in trouble. We’re refocusing. We’ve lost close games because of free throws down the stretch like in the Rain Or Shine game which we lost by three.” Alaska’s average losing margin is only 3.6 points so any of the Aces’ five setbacks could’ve gone either way.
Compton said the Aces are in a period of transition. Four rookies are in the lineup, namely Kevin Racal, Jaypee Mendoza, Marion Magat and Abel Galliguez. “When we traded Cyrus (Baguio), we lost his scoring and leadership but that gives our young guys a chance to prove themselves,” he said. “I think Kevin is one of the PBA’s top wing defenders. Our rookies work hard at practice and they’ll get their chance. We recently activated Abel when Eric ( Menk) couldn’t make our trip to Panabo because his wife gave birth. Of course, we’re missing Vic (Manuel), one of the best low post players in the league. He draws a lot of fouls because of his style of play and we’re missing that.”
Compton said he’s not worried about the consistency of his guards. “If you check the stats in our last six conferences, you’ll notice our guards’ scores go up and down,” he said. “One game, it’s Chris (Banchero) breaking out, another game, it’s Jvee (Casio) and another game, it’s RJ (Jazul). It’s not their offense that’s our concern. It’s their defense. That’s what makes us win.”
Import LaDontae Henton has been a huge contributor for Alaska. He’s averaging 34.7 points and 11.7 rebounds, shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point distance. Ironically, when Henton scores in the 30s, Alaska loses and when he scores in the 20s, the Aces win. Compton said winning has no connection to his offense. “LaDontae isn’t a back-down type of import,” said Compton. “He plays within our team system. We hardly run isolation. He’s a threat anywhere on the court. The problem isn’t him. It’s our defense.” The numbers, however, show that in Alaska’s two wins, Henton averaged 28 points and in the five losses, 37.4.
Alaska’s battlecry of “We Not Me” is evident in how Compton rotates his players. Seven are averaging at least 20 minutes and 12, at least 10. The Aces are No. 1 in threepoint percentage ( 38.7), No. 1 in second chance points (16.9), No. 1 in opponents’ turnovers (19) and No. 2 in turnover points (20.6). Aside from Henton, Calvin Abueva and Jazul are averaging in double figure points. Abueva and Jazul are hitting at a higher clip from beyond the arc than from two-point range, an unusual stat. Abueva is shooting 55.6 percent from distance and Jazul, 44.7.
Compton said he supports Alaska team owner Wilfred Uytengsu’s proposal of the Gilas Cadets joining the regular draft without a separate lottery. He said it’s critical for the PBA to preserve the goal of parity in allowing the worst performers to get first crack at the best available talent in the draft. “Although it’s Fred’s proposal, I’m not agreeing to it just because he’s our team owner,” he said. “I’m no parrot and I’ve never been a yes man. When we thought of the NBTC, it was a result of brainstorming which I always like to do. I think there’s a need to brainstorm the participation of the Gilas Cadets in the coming draft. I’ve thought about it myself and my view is to bring in the Cadets along with the others in one draft.”