ANGELES, Pampanga —For the last five months, Alaska had to deal with the frustration of not being able to do anything right.
And coach Alex Compton, who is hoping to catch just one break, caught a big one Saturday night—against San Miguel Beer.
The Aces snapped a 14-game losing streak dating back to the last conference by bringing down the powerhouse Beermen, 90-79, in a Petron Saturday Special Game at AUF Gym here as Alaska fanned its fading playoff hopes in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“After all the tough breaks, the close losses, we just couldn’t seem to get a break,” Compton told the Inquirer after getting 36 points and 15 rebounds from import LeDontae Henton in what could be considered as the biggest upset in the conference.
“We got a break [tonight], they (Beermen) got an import that they probably won’t be happy with in the long run,” he said as San Miguel struggled after Terik Bridgeman, tapped to replace Wendell McKines, scored just two points and had just six rebounds in close to 24 minutes.
“It’s just so nice to get rid of that goose egg and put one on the win column,” added Compton.
Alaska thus improved to a 1-6 card and with five games left, Compton believes that they still have a strong chance to go deep in this tournament.
And after that mammoth victory over what he described as “the best team in the league,” Compton was particularly happy seeing his players celebrate in a subdued way, a sign that his charges are hungry for more victories.
“Everyone was excited, happy and relieved,” Compton said. “But it’s not a championship level of happiness, and I actually like that.”
Alaska plays GlobalPort on Friday before slugging it out with KIA Picanto on Sunday, and Compton believes that they are must-win games.
“The guys have a belief of what level [of play] we’re at,” said Compton. “It’s been five months [since our last win]. We still have a mathematical shot and we still need to win games.