AS much as he admires the talent of GlobalPort’s dynamic duo Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle, Alaska coach Alex Compton is not about to concede they are the modern-day version of the ‘Fast and Furious.’
“I don’t like saying somebody is the next so and so. I think those two players are worthy of their own names and monikers,” said Compton on the eve of the Aces’ Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series against Pringle, Romeo, and the rest of the Batang Pier.
The ‘Fast and Furious’ moniker has long been associated with Barangay Ginebra’s deadly backcourt tandem of Mark Caguioa and JayJay Helterbrand - and former Ginebra player Billy Mamaril has no doubt that he has seen a reincarnation in Pringle and Romeo.
Mamaril, who is now with Globalport, said he considers Romeo-Pringle combo the ‘best backcourt tandem in the league today,’ especially after the Batang Pier eased past the Kings in overtime, 84-83, in their knockout duel for a seat in the semifinals opposite Alaska.
“There’s no one like them in the PBA. I’ll almost say it as ‘Fast and Furious 2.0,’" said the veteran big man, who won championships with the Kings playing alongside Caguioa and Helterbrand.
Compton however, has second thoughts about it.
“It’s up to you guys in the media to come up with monikers that stick,” he said as the Aces concluded their light practice on Sunday.
What is definite though is Alaska would have its hand full trying to contain GlobalPort’s explosive backcourt pair, which combined for 48 points – or more than half of the team’s total output – in the Batang Pier’s dramatic win over the Kings.
“You can contain them, but you cannot stop them,” said Alaska top deputy Louie Alas, the man who silently works behind the scene to polish the Aces' unforgiving pressing defense.
“One of the best tandems siguro sila ever.”
Alas acknowledged GlobalPort’s lethal backcourt poses a major concern for the Aces, but stressed Alaska does not rely solely on individual defense, repeating how the multi-titled franchise works behind its well-known mantra of ‘We not Me.’
“Team D naman kami as always,” said the former Letran coach.