NO EASY SERIES
With Alaska facing San Miguel for the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup title, all eyes are fixed on reigning league MVP June Mar Fajardo.
“June Mar has been the most dominant player since he came in,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton. “We just got to figure something out to stop him.”
Alaska advanced to the Finals after dispatching Rain or Shine in six games in the semifinals, and Compton admitted that the odds are stacked against the Aces.
“We’re the underdog,” he said Monday at the PBA Finals Press Conference in Sambokojin Eastwood. “They’ve got the last two MVPs, they surrounded them with good shooters, and they are committed to play as a team. We have got to find a way defensively to prevent them from getting easy baskets.”
But it won’t be easy, and Compton admits that the longer the series goes, the bigger Alaska’s chances are.
“Sa akin, kung mas mahabang series, we’re still in it. If it goes deep, as long as were still playing, we still have a chance. Whatever happens, we’ll play hard,” he said.
On the other hand, coach Leo Austria wants to relieve some of the pressure from Fajardo, saying, “Our strength might be June Mar Fajardo, but the strength of June Mar Fajardo is the team.”
“He can’t win by himself alone. It’s a team effort,” he added.
Austria credited the team’s chemistry for their Finals stint, after sweeping Talk ‘N Text in four games.
“Slowly nagiging solid kami,” he said.
But the seasoned mentor said that the pressure is on the Beermen, as the Aces beat them in their only meeting this conference, 66-63.
“They beat us sa first game namin. It’s our problem how to beat them,” Austria said. “Alaska is running very well like a well-oiled machine. Their cohesiveness is what keeps them winning, and their defense is really different. They keep on winning because of their defense. They are the most conditioned team. Itong team na ‘to ang contender and here they are.”
“All the stats and records, it’s all set aside. It’s a different ballgame now, ilalabas na lahat. This will be an exciting series,” Austria said.
The best-of-7 championship series between Alaska and San Miguel begins on Wednesday. (RL)
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