Too early to call in PBA Philippine Cup

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

After almost two weeks of action in the PBA Philippine Cup, unfancied teams are surprisingly on top and three powerhouse squads are struggling in the bottom of the standings.

Though it’s no surprise that Alaska is unbeaten after two games, NLEX is making waves up there with a 42-year-old veteran leading the way, and Aces coach Alex Compton believes that the form charts and all pre-season hype will eventually come to play as the tournament wears on.

“What I know is that any Tim Cone-coached team is never out of it until they’re out of it,” Compton told the Inquirer over the phone while on his way to practice yesterday, referring to rock-solid Barangay Ginebra which is in the cellar with a 0-2 card.

“With that talented lineup and that coach, (Ginebra) will come around,” said Compton.

Ginebra went down in flames for the second straight game on Saturday after blowing a 21-point first quarter lead in an 82-79 loss to Barako Bull.

Cone has been so disgusted that, according to one of the team’s superstars, the multititled coach had instructed his players to not give interviews to media.

Cone also did not return a call from the Inquirer.

Compton admitted to almost having a heart attack after barely scraping past lightweight Blackwater on Friday night.

“We’re still inconsistent, even if we are 2-0. And it’s the same thing for some (of the other fancied) teams.

“Talk ‘N Text (which is at 1-1 after barely making it past Mahindra on Saturday night), it’s the same thing for them, they have a lot of new guys,” Compton said. “It would pay to be patient with Mo (Tautuaa) and Troy (Rosario). Jong (Uichico) knows what he’s doing and he has a great staff.”

Star, which completed a Grand Slam two seasons ago under Cone, is at 1-2 and Compton certainly feels thankful that he is not in (new coach) Jason Webb’s shoes.

“It’s hard in Jason’s situation, because, how do you follow Tim Cone?” Compton asked.

One team that is playing according to all pre-season flak is San Miguel Beer, the defending champion. And Compton actually feels that the Beermen will be playing with a lot of pressure the entire tournament—if not the entire season—with expectations so high.

With reigning two-time MVP June Mar Fajardo at the forefront, pundits are expecting nothing less than complete domination by San Miguel like no other this season.

“San Miguel is great,” Compton said. “But I don’t think it’s fair for them or for the league for people to be talking Grand Slam this early,” he explained. “They have to defend (the Philippine Cup) first and then win the next (Commissioner’s Cup).”