Alaska's Compton says Chicago Bulls-like TNT scares him

MANILA, Philippines — The Alaska Aces will gun for a fourth straight win this Friday, but they will have to do that against — as coach Alex Compton put it — a team similar to a fabled NBA squad.

“The good thing about TNT is that they’re small with no athletes, so that’s good,” Compton jested.

“They can put up a lineup with Rosser at the 1, Troy (Rosario) at the 2, [Ranidel de Ocampo] at the 3, Kelly (Williams) or Mo (Tautuaa) at the 4 or [at the 5],” he explained.

“Gosh, you play like you’re playing against the Chicago Bulls with (Michael) Jordan, (Dennis) Rodman. How are you gonna score?” he added.

“TNT scares me. I had the privilege of being a player under Coach Nash (Racela). He’s a sincerely good player, and an excellent coach. I’m sure he’s going to do a great job,” he added.

The Aces have been back to their winning ways since the return of their raging-bull star Calvin Abueva. Their last three wins came at the expense of three playoff contenders — GlobalPort, Meralco and most especially Barangay Ginebra.

The KaTropa, for their part, are also 3-2 in the Philippine Cup. But always the cautious tactician that he is, Compton said he’s not taking any chances against a crew that touts two former Most Valuable Players and fields former national team players.

“To put things in perspective, they are one of three teams in the league with two MVPs on their roster,” the American said. “Without question [they are] a top contender for the championship every conference including this one.”

Alaska — like the Star Hotshots, and the league-leading San Miguel Beermen — has won three straight games. But the Aces will have a chance to join the 4-2 Blackwater Elite at the second spot if they beat KaTropa in a tussle set at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

NLEX's first meeting with Yeng Guiao’s former team Rain or Shine will take the top billing.

“They are long, they are athletic, they are in their prime, they are well coached,” Compton said of their upcoming foe.

“They provide us with an incredible challenge. How we can defend and keep them off the glass will be a huge part of the game,” he closed.