Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — “This is what causes me sleepless nights.”
This was what Alaska coach Alex Compton told sports scribes on Sunday (July 12) after the Aces fell prey to the San Miguel Beer, 103-95, in Game 2 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup finals.
Read: San Miguel Beer outlasts Alaska to take 2-0 lead
His team is now behind, 0-2, in the race-to-four duel.
Compton, whose team thrives on defense, has struggled to figure out ways to contain the Beermen, who boast of a flurry of threats outside and inside the paint.
“It’s really challenging with all the threats they have,” said Compton.
“We played Alaska basketball most of the game. We came back, did a lot of good things, and they just exploded in the last six minutes.”
Indeed, San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria has a lot of weapons at his disposal: a prolific scorer in import Arizona Reid, the best local player in June Mar Fajardo, sweet-shooting Marcio Lassiter, and cerebral point guard Alex Cabagnot who can explode when needed.
Those four players, in fact, spearheaded the Beermen’s 22-8 barrage in the final stretch that keyed the victory.
“The dilemma we have is the most dominant player in the game, June Mar Fajardo, requires attention. Arizona Reid is an incredible scorer. You got those guys, it’s a nice combination and it causes us problems,” the American mentor said.
Related: Fajardo named Best Player of the Conference; Alaska’s Travis is top import
