TEXTERS TEST COMPTON-STEERED ACES
Two teams undergoing changes square off Monday when the 2014 PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup continues at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska will parade new head coach Alex Compton after the sudden exit of coach Luigi Trillo on Sunday, and hopes to right the Aces’ ship after dropping a 91-95 decision to GlobalPort on Friday.
Compton, who has worked before as an assistant for Rain or Shine, Coca- Cola/Powerade, and Alaska, will now take the lead role in this third conference, with
the Aces currently in the middle of the pack at 1-1.
“It has been an honor working with and learning from Coach Luigi Trillo, and I consider him a good friend. While I will miss working with him, I am both excited and challenged by the opportunity to try and replicate the success the Alaska franchise has had over the past 28 years,” Compton said in a team statement.
On the other hand, Talk ‘N Text is facing the possibility of missing reinforcement Othyus Jeffers, who is slated to return to the United States to fix documents regarding his previous contracts in the NBA.
Just days ago, coach Norman Black was optimistic that the NBA veteran would play a vital role in the Tropang Texters’ bid to avenge last conference’s letdown.
“He just had three practices with us because of the Finals, so we’re hoping in getting him in better shape and get him better blended with the team. And hopefully, in the next few days, we will accomplish that,” he said, after Jeffers posted 38 points and 13 rebounds in Talk ‘N Text’s 105-99 victory over sister team Meralco.
It still begs to be seen if Jeffers will still be able to suit up for the Aces-Tropang Texters game, which is slated at 8 p.m., or his replacement import, the 32-year-old Desmon Farmer, will arrive in the country, get all his papers in order and make it on time come tip-off.
But for the multi-titled Black, whatever problems might persist in their camp, he is focused on one target only, something which has not changed through the years of coaching and will not change now, which is winning.
“We’ll just try to win as many games as possible to give us a chance to win it again at the end,” he said. “That’s our goal right now.” (RL)
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