Alaska Aces start training camp sans coach, key cogs
Alaska Aces. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Without coach Alex Compton and some of its key cogs, Alaska’s training camp looks like a team starting from scratch.
Compton, who is a deputy for Gilas Pilipinas, and Aces key players Calvin Abueva, Sonny Thoss and Dondon Hontiveros are all part of the national team which will be competing in the 2015 Fiba Asia Championships later in the month.
Aside from the Nationals, Alaska is also missing Chris Banchero, Eric Menk, and Tony dela Cruz, who are still dealing with personal matters, making it harder for the staff left behind to get the rhythm they are looking for.
But the squad is making the most of the situation and even turning things into positive, according to Alaska deputy Louie Alas.
“It’s kind of hard to get our rhythm pag almost half nang veterans ang out. But we made those things into positive,” he said.
With its two-week training camp underway, Alaska amped up the intensity for the players present and doubled down on the drills.
“Konti lang kami kaya naging three to four times yung repetition ng drills. Mas marami yung naging teaching,” he said.
The Aces still haven’t secured the services of first round pick Kevin Racal, who is still playing for Letran in the NCAA, but the other rookies like Jaypee Mendoza, Abel Galliguez, and Marion Magat are expected to join the Aces next week.
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