Compton, Austria confident Alaska-SMB will draw big crowd

MANILA, Philippines – There will be no Barangay Ginebra, no Purefoods, and no Rain or Shine featured in the finals of the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup. That means none of the top 3 considered most popular teams in the league, according to a PBA survey, are battling for the title.

Instead, the San Miguel Beermen and the Alaska Aces will dispute over the all-Filipino trophy with Game 1 set to tip off on Wednesday, Januart 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

So, are the coaches the least bit worried an Alaska-San Miguel showdown won’t fill the Big Dome?

Not a chance.

“Well I think that’s not true,” said San Miguel head coach Leo Austria before squeezing in a joke. “Palagay ko mga fans ng Ginebra yun or [fans ng] nung ibang team.” (I think those who say that are Ginebra fans or fans of other teams.)

Austria, speaking in a press conference on Monday, January 5 at Sambo Kojin restaurant in Eastwood City, Libis, was confident the raw basketball action brought about by the even match-up is enough to entice fans to watch live.

“Dudumugin ito,” he said. “Yung mga tao alam naman nila what kind of basketball ang ipapakita ng Alaska and San Miguel, especially yung mga basketball aficionado, alam nila yung quality ng game na ipapakita namin.” (It will be packed. People know what kind of basketball Alaska and San Miguel cam bring, especially the basketball aficionado, they know the quality of game we’re capable of.)

Alaska head coach Alex Compton added how the country’s basketball culture will come into play. He cannot promise victory for Alaska fans, who are known as ‘Gatas Republik’, but he does assure they will experience intense, high quality action.

“I think for the fans that will come, whoever they are, they’re gonna enjoy good basketball. And that’s the bottomline,” said Compton, who will be coaching in the first PBA finals of his career like Austria.

“Alam naman natin passion ng bansa ang basketball (We all know the country’s passion is basketball). You come to the games, you’re gonna see 15 players here and 15 players there who put their hearts on the floor, and the families of each of our players will be proud to be associated with these men,” he added.

“I hope the PBA fans, the Filipino fans will also enjoy the games. We (Alaska) win or they (San Miguel) win, the fans are gonna see good basketball. Yun lang maipapangako ko (That’s what I can promise).”

To put things in perspective, the last time any one of the considered most popular PBA teams was not featured in the finals of a conference was in the 2012 Philippine Cup.

Additionally, the current PBA record gate attendance of 24,883 in the Smart Araneta Coliseum is game 7 of last season’s Philippine Cup, which features Ginebra and San Mig Coffee (now Purefoods).

PBA Chairman Pato Gregorio pointed out that a finals series with two storied and long-standing franchises will be appreciated by PBA fans.

“Para sa akin (For me), personally, and I’m sure the governors will agree, this is a classic match-up,” he said as Alaska and San Miguel are looking to add to their 13 and 19 franchise championships, respectively.

“If you want to see good basketball, this is good basketball. The fans know that. And I’m sure the next few days talagang dudumugin tayo sa Araneta dahil napakagandang match-up nito.” (And I’m sure in the next few days fans will come in droves to Araneta because of this really good match-up.)

Austria, though, also has one hope after the finals is said and done.

“I think it’s about time na ma-realize ng mga tao na hindi lang Ginebra or Purefoods or Talk ’N Text ang talagang hahakot ng mga fans,” he said. “And I think it will be good for basketball fans, especially the PBA.” (I think it’s about time people realize that it’s not just Ginebra or Purefoods or Talk ’N Text that will bring in the fans.) – Rappler.com