PBA: TNT's versatility, firepower strike dread in Alex Compton | ABS-CBN
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PBA: TNT's versatility, firepower strike dread in Alex Compton
PBA: TNT's versatility, firepower strike dread in Alex Compton
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Dec 23, 2016 08:46 AM PHT
MANILA, Philippines — The Alaska Aces have momentum on their side heading into their PBA Philippine Cup showdown against the TNT KaTropa at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Friday.
MANILA, Philippines — The Alaska Aces have momentum on their side heading into their PBA Philippine Cup showdown against the TNT KaTropa at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Friday.
Alex Compton's side has won three consecutive games, the most recent one a 101-86 demolition of Barangay Ginebra, a game that saw Alaska lead by as many as 30 points.
Alex Compton's side has won three consecutive games, the most recent one a 101-86 demolition of Barangay Ginebra, a game that saw Alaska lead by as many as 30 points.
Even with big men Sonny Thoss and Noy Baclao still on the sidelines due to injury, Alaska has been successful with Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel manning the paint.
Even with big men Sonny Thoss and Noy Baclao still on the sidelines due to injury, Alaska has been successful with Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel manning the paint.
The Aces have been getting strong play from their guards as well, with JVee Casio, Chris Banchero and RJ Jazul taking turns stepping up for the team.
The Aces have been getting strong play from their guards as well, with JVee Casio, Chris Banchero and RJ Jazul taking turns stepping up for the team.
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PBA Philippine Cup standings Team Won Lost Next game San Miguel 4 1 Mer (Dec. 28) Blackwater 4 2 Mah (Dec. 25) Alaska 3 2 TNT (Dec. 23) GlobalPort 3 2 Phx (Dec. 28) Rain or Shine 3 2 NLEX (Dec. 23) Star 3 2 Gin (Dec. 25) Talk N Text 3 2 Ala(Dec. 23) Phoenix 3 3 Gpt (Dec. 28) Ginebra 2 3 Star(Dec. 25) Meralco 2 3 SMB (Dec. 28) NLEX 1 4 RoS (Dec. 23) Mahindra 0 5 Bkw (Dec. 25) ~Standings updated after Dec. 21, Wednesday games
| PBA Philippine Cup standings | |||
| Team | Won | Lost | Next game |
| San Miguel | 4 | 1 | Mer (Dec. 28) |
| Blackwater | 4 | 2 | Mah (Dec. 25) |
| Alaska | 3 | 2 | TNT (Dec. 23) |
| GlobalPort | 3 | 2 | Phx (Dec. 28) |
| Rain or Shine | 3 | 2 | NLEX (Dec. 23) |
| Star | 3 | 2 | Gin (Dec. 25) |
| Talk N Text | 3 | 2 | Ala(Dec. 23) |
| Phoenix | 3 | 3 | Gpt (Dec. 28) |
| Ginebra | 2 | 3 | Star(Dec. 25) |
| Meralco | 2 | 3 | SMB (Dec. 28) |
| NLEX | 1 | 4 | RoS (Dec. 23) |
| Mahindra | 0 | 5 | Bkw (Dec. 25) |
| ~Standings updated after Dec. 21, Wednesday games | |||
All these factors are of no comfort to Compton, however, as they gear up for their showdown against the KaTropa.
All these factors are of no comfort to Compton, however, as they gear up for their showdown against the KaTropa.
"Well, the good thing about Talk N Text is that they are small with no athletes, so that's good," Compton said jokingly. "I hope you picked up on the sarcasm."
"Well, the good thing about Talk N Text is that they are small with no athletes, so that's good," Compton said jokingly. "I hope you picked up on the sarcasm."
Turning serious, Compton notes that TNT can trot out a supersized lineup that features Matt Ganuelas-Rosser at point guard, Troy Rosario at shooting guard, Ranidel De Ocampo at small forward, and Kelly Williams and Moala Tautuaa at either power forward or center.
Turning serious, Compton notes that TNT can trot out a supersized lineup that features Matt Ganuelas-Rosser at point guard, Troy Rosario at shooting guard, Ranidel De Ocampo at small forward, and Kelly Williams and Moala Tautuaa at either power forward or center.
"How are you gonna score [against that lineup]?" he asked.
"How are you gonna score [against that lineup]?" he asked.
Stopping the KaTropa on offense is just as difficult.
Stopping the KaTropa on offense is just as difficult.
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"Jayson Castro is not a bad player," Compton said.
"Jayson Castro is not a bad player," Compton said.
Add in the presence of new coach Nash Racela, and Compton is bracing for what should be a difficult game.
Add in the presence of new coach Nash Racela, and Compton is bracing for what should be a difficult game.
"Talk N Text scares me," he admitted.
"Talk N Text scares me," he admitted.
"I had the privilege of being a player under coach Nash, the honor of calling him a friend. He's an excellent coach, and I'm sure he's gonna do a great job."
"I had the privilege of being a player under coach Nash, the honor of calling him a friend. He's an excellent coach, and I'm sure he's gonna do a great job."
The Aces and the KaTropa are tied in the league standings with 3-2 win-loss records.
The Aces and the KaTropa are tied in the league standings with 3-2 win-loss records.
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TNT is coming off a 117-98 demolition of Phoenix.
TNT is coming off a 117-98 demolition of Phoenix.
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