Despite Alaska being twice-to-beat, Compton wary about Ginebra

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By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY—For Coach Alex Compton, if there is one team that can defy the quarterfinal odds it has, it would be Ginebra.

The Barangay slipped to the seventh seed, which means they will have a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, after Star romped Mahindra at the Cuneta Astrodome on Wednesday night, while Compton's Alaska Aces set up a date with them after rallying late to defeat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters later Wednesday to secure the second seed.

But for Compton, the recently crowned Governors' Cup champions can still snatch a semifinal spot from them.

"It's great that we have the twice-to-beat, but it's not an advantage to play Ginebra," said the former two-time MBA champion player.

Ginebra finished the elimination round at 6-5, just a full game behind 7-4 Alaska, but with the team having the lowest quotient among four teams that are tied for fourth place, the league's crowd favorite slid to the seventh spot.

In spite of it, Compton still believes the Barangay are too formidable.

"We have to get ready for Ginebra. It's playoff time. No more rest," he further said.

The Alaska-Ginebra match is set for Sunday night. If Ginebra wins, a rubber match will take place two nights later.

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