ALASKA coach Alex Compton insisted the pressure remains with San Miguel Beer in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals that will go the full seven-game distance next week.
The Aces squandered a third chance to close out the series after bowing to the Beermen, 100-89, in Game Six on Friday night, yet Compton believes it’s still the grand slam-seeking SMB side that has a lot more to lose.
“Now, I think the pressure is on them,” the American coach said in the post-game conference. “I don’t know how you guys see it, but the team you were all writing about that was expected to win a grand slam, now has the step up in Game Seven.”
“I actually think that we’re gonna have some fun next Wednesday, but that’s just me,” he added. “At least, di rin lugi PBA fans, Game Seven na naman.”
[See SMB on cusp of historic comeback after dragging Alaska to a Game 7]
Compton admitted the Beermen, led by Marcio Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo, were clearly the better team in Game Six, where the Aces lost an early 13-point lead.
“We got beat fair and square,” he said. “Great fourth quarter by San Miguel. It’s safe to say June Mar was a factor. I think Marcio was awesome today.”
“I’ve been on the same team as Marcio in Powerade and I’ve seen him be awesome against us. They clearly deserved the win.”
Compton, though, gave most of the credit to SMB counterpart Leo Austria.
“I’ve seen him have to handle teams that are not really talented and now, he’s got the most talented team in the league and he’s maximizing them,” the Alaska coach said. “He deserves credit. He’s doing a great job.”