The Final Score: How Alex Compton is a lot like Yeng Guiao

 

The comparison is funny but poignant, strange but rational. Alaska Aces veteran guard Dondon Hontiveros offered this estimation of his coach Alex Compton: “Si Coach Alex parang si Coach Yeng.” 

 

Tama naman siya. If you think a comforting double scoop of ice cream and destructive molten lava are the same, then yeah, Dondon Hontiveros is making perfect sense. Alex Compton and Yeng Guiao are the same. Wait, wait, wait, ano ulit yun Dondon? 

 

Watch the next Alaska game and you’ll notice a trend. More players are getting to play. Their substitution patterns mimic people going in and out of the mall during a three-day sale. First unit out. Second unit in. Second unit out. Third unit in. Like frenetic platoon changes in hockey. As a result, guys like Cyrus Baguio and Jvee Casio are getting more help, guys like Sam Eman and Paolo Bugia are getting more minutes.

 

So Alaska is doing a Rain or Shine. Alex Compton is doing a Yeng Guiao. Only we all know that Compton isn’t Guiao. Because while I can totally see how Compton is shuffling players in and out of games like Guiao, I can’t see Compton aggressively cross-examining referees like Guiao, dispensing tough love to his own players like Guiao, dragging his team out of the playing court like Guiao, utilizing every available finger gesture for maximum effect like Guiao.

 

 

Guiao is already a hardcourt myth, an endless source of priceless coach-to-player anecdotes from the Swift, Pepsi, Red Bull and Rain or Shine years, a walking, cursing, smiling urban legend because of all the things that Compton is not. Or has yet to be. Proven champion coach. Proven master motivator. Proven out-of-the-box character so colorful he has created his own lexicon of choice words for basketball friends and foes. 

 

Compton is still working on that first championship. He’s working on his relationships with players. He has been refreshingly candid during interviews. After Alaska beat San Miguel in a brutal defensive slugfest last Wednesday that saw both teams shoot 29 percent from the field, Compton faced reporters looking like he just finished running a 21k in long sleeves, dark pants and leather shoes. He doesn’t hide the fact that coaching is hard, hard work. He doesn’t hide the fact that it takes a lot to win games. 

 

Hi guys. This is who I am even after victories, disheveled hair, crooked necktie and all. 

 

The difference between Guiao’s candor and Compton’s candor is like the difference between extra hot chili sauce and Splenda.

 

Dondon, however, understands the quintessence of Guiao and by extension appreciates the emerging mindset of Compton. Guiao’s system is built on stubborn trust. And Compton is hoping to win more games (Alaska is 4-0 in the PBA Philippine Cup) by trusting players they way Guiao trusts players. During Alaska’s game against San Miguel, five San Miguel players played over 30 minutes. Only two Alaska players played that long. 

 

I don’t think Compton will ever utter a single curse word — even if he can say every Filipino curse word like he’s been saying them since first grade — during a game. Does he even curse? 

 

I don’t think Compton will ever order his players to walk out from the court. He is nowhere near as intimidating as Guiao. The words “Coach Yeng” symbolize so many things already. Guiao, for today’s generation, is a legend.

 

But if Alex Compton can embolden first to third unit players like Guiao does, if he continues to pluck surprise contributors (“magic bunot” players) from the bench like Guiao is known for, if he can make players trust the systematic madness of their committed coach like Guiao, then, chances are, he will win even more games like Yeng Guiao. — JST, GMA News