MANILA, Philippines – The Alaska Milk Aces remain upbeat of their chances despite blowing three cracks at the crown, keeping a positive stance heading to Game Seven of the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup championship.
They’re determined to come out for the winner-take-all match at the Mall of Asia Arena tomorrow, ready and raring to slug it out with the surging San Miguel Beermen.
For coach Alex Compton and the Aces, they’re staying focused on the task at hand and putting the past behind them.
After all, all is not lost for Alaska.
“We’ve got to play. We have no excuse for the hole we’re in. It’s a one-game toss-up, we’ll see what happens,” said Compton.
The Alaska bench chieftain maintains the Beermen, being the reigning two-conference champions, have a lot more to lose and the pressure should still be on them.
“I don’t know how you guys see it, but the team you’re all writing about that was expected to win a grand slam, now has to step up in Game Seven,” Compton said.
But either way, a loss would be tough to bear. If ever, the Aces would go down in league history as the first team ever in a best-of-seven finals to bungle a three-games-to-nil lead. Or the Beermen would be the first team ever to survive three knockout games only to lose the winner-take-all battle.
Thus, it is a Game Seven like no other, with the winner writing a new chapter in the league annals.
Compton is hopeful they would end up on the positive side of history.
“I get excited about this stuff as I have a hard head. I’m a believer and I firmly believe in my guys. My guys are such a great group to coach, and I hope I can deliver for them and we play a great game,” said Compton.
He said the sure winners here are the fans. “Sulit na sulit ang fans,” he said.
Compton believes San Miguel Beer can never be sure of winning even with a perfectly healthy June Mar Fajardo.
“One team will make it happen, one won’t make enough plays to make it happen. One team will be champion, one won’t. That’s just how it works,” Compton said.