Cariaso kapalit ni Compton

MANILA, Philippines — Mismong si Alaska team owner Fred Uytengsu ang humiling kay Alex Compton na magbitiw bilang head coach matapos ang limang taon na paggiya sa Alaska.

Hindi man niya gustong bitawan ang mga Aces na kanyang tinulungang ipa­sok sa limang championship stint sa 15 conferences ay wala siyang nagawa kundi sundin si Uytengsu.

“Yesterday at his house, a man I deep­ly respect, Fred Uytengsu, sat down with me, looked me in the eye, and asked me to step down,” wika ka­ha­pon ni Compton sa kanyang statement. “I accepted his direction and have agreed to resign as head coach of the Alaska Aces. It has been an honor for me to coach such a storied franchise.”

Sa pagbaba ng 46-anyos na dating Ame­rican point guard, ang kanyang assistant na si Jeffrey Cariaso ang hinirang ng Alaska bilang bagong head coach.

“I have made great relationships and have a lot of love for people in the organization. Being a part of the Alaska fa­mily has meant a lot to me and my fa­mily, and we will always treasure our time with the Aces,” ani Compton.

Huling naglaro ang Aces sa PBA Finals noong 2018 Governors’ Cup kung saan sila natalo sa Magnolia Hotshots.

Bagama’t masakit sa kanyang ka­looban ay kailangan na ni Uytengsu na bi­tawan si Compton sa hangaring pa-lakasin ang kampanya ng Alaska simula sa darating na 2019 PBA Governor’s Cup na nakatakda sa Setyembre 20.

“We also share that winning (with integrity) is an important aspect of our team, and are grateful that Alex stepped aside to pave the way for someone else to lead our Aces to our next championship,” ani Uytengsu.

Samantala, umaasa naman si Ca-riaso na magiging una siyang Alaska pla­yer na nanalo ng PBA crown bilang player at head coach.

“I am honored for the opportunity, and genuinely humbled as I face the challenge,” wika ng 46-anyos na si Ca­riaso, isang seven-time PBA champion at kasama ng Aces sa pagsikwat sa PBA Grand Slam noong 1996 sa ila­lim ni coach Tim Cone. “Certainly, I will give my best, nothing less.”

Nauna nang naging head coach ng Barangay Ginebra si Cariaso, ang No. 6 overall pick ng Alaska noong1995, bi­lang kapalit ni Ato Agustin noong 2014.