Free throw disparity in Game 5 leaves Alaska coach Compton displeased

MANILA, Philippines – Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton seemed displeased at the difference of free throw attempts between his team and the San Miguel Beermen during his post Game 5 press conference on Wednesday, January 27.

“Anything stand out on the stat sheet to you guys?,” was the first thing the head coach asked once his presser started.

“What was the free throw discrepancy?” he asked, followed by a question of the difference in fouls given to San Miguel and Alaska, whose 3-0 lead is now down to 3-2 in the Best-of-7 Philippine Cup finals.

The Beermen went 22-of-35 from the charity stripe while Alaska made just 3 free throws in only 5 attempts.

That disparity is the most in a PBA Finals game since San Mig Coffee received 41 compared to Talk ’N Text’s 2 in Game 4 of the 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.

It wasn’t the first time in the series San Miguel had a huge free throw advantage over Alaska. In Game 4, the Beermen took 46 attempts from the foul line and made 34 while the Aces were 26-of-30.

“I’m just pointing out facts. I don’t have anything to say like that. Just pointing out facts,” said Compton, who was also upset that his team was given just 17 fouls compared to San Miguel’s 36 drawn.

“I thought we got some good shots. I thought generally 67 points defensively was pretty good. We missed some shots,” said Compton, whose team was outscored by 13 in overtime of Game 5.

“I’ll go back to, if a team consistently gets 30 more free throws than you do and gets [19] more foul calls, it’s going to be difficult.

“How you guys want to spin that, or what your opinion is on that matter, I’ll let you be the judge,” added the head coach, whose Aces lost back to back games for just the first time this conference in Game 5.

“I have no other statements to make than that. 30 free throws and [19] fouls is a big discrepancy. It’s going to be difficult to win. You guys can tell me your perception of that.”

Compton did give credit to San Miguel, which fielded the returning June Mar Fajardo.

Arwind Santos led the way with a dominant stat-line of 22 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, and 3 steals.

“Credit to San Miguel. They did a good job. Played well the last two games. We’re still going to come out determined, and hopefully make some shots that we didn’t make. I think we missed some good shots. Got to do a better job of making some open looks,” said Compton.

Alaska shot just 32% from the field in Game 5, including 6-of-33 from 3-point range against San Miguel’s zone defense.

Nonetheless, Compton isn’t concerned about having to motivate his squad after two consecutive disappointing defeats.

“We lost twice in overtime, so I think pointing out the realistic truth, that it was tied after 4 quarters both of the last games, I don’t think that should be a problem motivating my team.

“Just some stats jump at me the last two games,” the head coach said again before his press conference ended. “Some stats jump off the page. Hopefully we can see if that changes. Some of that is really out of our control.”

Game 6 is on Friday, January 29. – Rappler.com