Uytengsu, Alaska ‘would like nothing more’ than to win PH Cup crown
Alaska coach Alex Compton and his Aces must have done something special that brought team honcho Wilfred Uytengsu at the press room on Tuesday night.
His presence at the crowded, messed up room that is the domain of sports scribe, was a rare occurrence. It was like Haley’s Comet showing up.
With a smile in his face and spark in his eyes, Uytengsu, a certified triathlete, stood within earshot of Compton, who was holding a post-game interview. The Aces have just defeated the Globalport Batang Pier 118-89 – their fourth straight – in Game 5 of their best-of-seven semifinal series and earn a return trip to the finals of the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup.
After Compton was done, the scribes persuaded Uytengsu to share his thoughts about the up-coming finals. He readily obliged.
“The All-Filipino Cup is the most special championship for a team to win,” declared the Alaska big boss, who was man enough to admit that last year’s defeat to San Miguel was “a painful loss.”
“We were there. We clawed ourselves back from double-digit figures in the second half in each of the game we won and in Game Seven, we clawed back from twenty-two points,” he related.
Alaska was very close to winning their first AFC title in 15 years but Arwind Santos spoiled the impending celebration, knocking a 3-point shot in the closing seconds of Game 7 to give the Beermen a one point lead and San Miguel went on to clinch the championship.
When asked who he wants as Alaska’s opponent in the finals, Uytengsu quickly responded, “You be careful what you ask for.”
The other finals berth is still being contested by San Miguel and Rain or Shine.
Uytengsu said ROS may not have the tradition and experience of San Miguel but noted that the Elasto Painters are a talented team with a lot of weapons. A rematch with the Beermen, on the other hand, gives the Aces a chance for redemption.
“Either way, it’s going to be hard,” said Uytengsu, adding “To be the best, you have to beat the best, so I don’t care who we play as long as we win.”
“I would love nothing more than to present rings for our next all-Filipino win.”
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