Compton will play hurt for Montaña vs. Mobile today
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2020 07:49:09 +0000
Games today (Pasig Sports Center)
2 p.m.–Toyota Otis-Letran vs. Air Philippines
4 p.m.–Addict Mobile-Ateneo vs. Montana Pawnshop
VETERAN Alex Compton made an emotional appeal to Montaña Pawnshop coach Robert Sison on Thursday to let him play against Toyota Otis-Letran in the Philippine Basketball League Open Championship on Thursday.
Sison reluctantly relented to Compton’s plea, although aware that the point guard has still not fully recovered from a surgery on his right Achilles tendon.
With the clutch-shooting Compton around, the Jewels whipped the Knights, 66-54, and loom as the favorites anew when they gun for their third straight win and a piece of the lead against Addict Mobile-Ateneo at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Pasig Sports Center.
Clashing in the opening game at 2 p.m. are the Air Philippines Flight and Toyota Otis-Letran, with coach Louie Alas’ Knights hoping to snap a two-game losing run.
The Jewels are tied for second to third places with Air Philippines at 2-1 with Granny Goose Tortillos occupying the top spot with a 3-1 card.
Welcoat Paints, Magnolia Dairy Ice Cream and ICTSI-La Salle have similar 2-2 records.
“He’s really a good leader and an ideal player. Before the start of the game he appealed to the coaching staff to let him play. Though we don’t want to aggravate his condition, we let him play sparingly,” said team manager Clarence Aytona of his prized player.
Although playing hurt, Compton, who scored 10 points in that game, came up with the match’s biggest play—a no-look pass to Jondan Salvador at the height of Toyota-Letran’s smoldering comeback.
Salvador, who shared the scoring honors with Erick dela Cuesta with 17 points each, made the key basket.
“Rarely you can see a player as dedicated as Compton. He’ll do everything for the team, unlike some other rising stars who won’t even practice with a slight pain.”
Although the Jewels have almost everything in their arsenal, they won’t take Addict Mobile-Ateneo for granted because they know for a fact that the Eagles have what it takes to pull off a big surprise in the tournament.
The Eagles boast of some of the country’s finest collegiate players, among them LA Tenonio, Paolo Bugia, JC Intal, Robert Sanz and Gaby Espinas, but they have yet to play as one big fighting unit—a reason why they dropped their first three games. 