MANILA, Philippines – Alaska has one final shot to reach the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, and it better not miss. 

Alex Compton said Alaska needs to honor the game as it heads into the playoff for the last quarterfinals seat after it was denied an outright entry to the next round with a 104-112 loss to Blackwater on Sunday, July 14.

“In my belief, one of the pillars of things that we build on is honor the game. If you got a chance, you honor it and you play hard, you know,” said Compton. 

“In this country, where so many people aspire to be in the PBA, if you don’t honor the game and play hard, then you shouldn’t be here ’cause a lot of people want to be here and a lot of people, it’s their dream to have this kind of chance.” 

“And we got a chance. So it might be a small chance, it might not be a big chance, but you got a chance. You got to leave it out there.” 

Alaska finished the elimination round with 4-7 record and could end up in a four-way tie with Phoenix (4-7), Meralco (3-7), and Columbian (3-7) depending on the results of the remaining games. 

But due to a superior quotient, Alaska has already been assured of a spot in the playoff for the last quarterfinals seat. The Aces will face either Phoenix or Meralco, with Columbian already out of contention due to an inferior quotient.

And what better way for Alaska to get back on the winning track for the first time in more than a month and end a five-game skid than to avoid an early vacation. 

“[W]e still have a sliver of a thread of hope and we’re going to fight for that and as long as there’s life left, we’re going to honor the game,” Compton said. – Rappler.com