MANILA, Philippines — Alaska head coach Alex Compton apologized for his actions on Sunday night during and after the Aces game against the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters.
Compton and Texters import Ivan Johnson got into a heated exchange of words in the waning seconds of the Aces’ 101-93 loss that spilled over after the final buzzer and outside of the dugout that needed to be pacified by the Araneta Coliseum security personnel.
“I’m sorry to the PBA fans and the whole Talk ‘N Text organization and I gotta be better than that,” said Compton. “I didn’t act the way that I should. That’s really the bottomline.”
Compton and the 6-foot-8 Johnson, who led the Texters with 47 points, caught up outside the locker rooms and hugged it out.
Compton also refused to point any fingers but to himself.
“I needed to learn my lesson and it’s my fault,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what he said. I’m in control of me and that’s the point and I didn’t control myself.”
Before Compton and Johnson went at each other, it was the Aces’ pesky forward Calvin Abueva and Johnson trying to get under each other’s skin.
“I don’t curse. I’m not a fighter and if I was he would squash me in 10 seconds. It’s like a lightweight against a heavyweight,” Compton joked.
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