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MANILA, Philippines – Alaska head coach Alex Compton apologized to Talk ‘N Text and to PBA fans after he uncharacteristically figured in a shouting match with TNT import Ivan Johnson at the end of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup game Sunday.
Compton’s Aces found themselves in a deep hole against TNT, battled back, but lost 93-101 in an emotional, eventful contest that saw Alaska forward Calvin Abueva talk trash with Johnson for nearly the whole game.
Johnson and Compton then got into a shouting match at the end of the game, and the two had to be held back by bouncers. There was also an incident at the tunnel going into the locker rooms, but fortunately, cooler heads prevailed.
Compton was remorseful after the game, saying what he said did not matter.
“I got pretty upset, but that doesn’t matter. I’m in control of me, and I didn’t control myself,” he said, as quoted by PBA.ph. “It shouldn’t take anything out of (TNT) coach Jong (Uichico)’s game plan.”
“I got out-coached, they beat us, and they deserved the win,” he added.
Compton said it was a learning experience for him.
“That’s one of the building pillars of our team – you honor people. The referees, your opponents, your coaches, the fans, you have to honor them. I’m sorry to the PBA fans and Talk ‘N Text,” he said.
“I got to be better than that,” he stressed.
Johnson torched Alaska all game long, and the TNT import finished the game with 47 points built on nine three-point shots.
Alaska went down by as much as 25 points before mounting a late rally that ultimately fell short, thanks again to Johnson.
“I was really proud of our guys, fighting back today,” said Compton. “We fought back so hard. It’s just we keep on digging ourselves into those holes. We can’t do that every game.”
Compton and Johnson later patched things up.
The loss dropped Alaska to 4-7, putting them in a must-win situation when they face Barangay Ginebra in their last assignment of the elimination round.
Photo: Nuki Sabio/PBA Images
This story was republished with permission from ABS-CBNNews.com
