Compton claims Barroca, Jalalon "foul a lot" but "never called for it"

For what he thought is his first time ever, Coach Alex Compton lashed at the refs. PBA Media Group

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Coach Alex Compton admitted that he rarely makes a critique about the officiating in the Philippine Basketball Association.

"I think I've not yet once publicly complained about the officiating," the former star player of the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association and current Alaska coach said.

But on Friday night, he indeed aired his sentiments about how the referees managed Game 2 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals between his Aces and the Magnolia Hotshots.

In particular, he raised his concern about Magnolia's top perimeter defenders, Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon.

"Those guys foul a lot and they were never called for it," Compton quipped. "They're karate chopping, pushing somebody or leaving their foot so they'll trip the ball handler."

He added, "Honestly, I admire Mark and Jio, [but] they gotta get their hands off when they're shoving and karate chopping us. I'm all for good defense, and I think those guys are great defenders. But a foul is a foul. And that was a big part of the game. For whatever reason, [the referees] didn't wanna call it."

Alaska only shot 11 free throw attempts, converting eight of them, in the entire game, while Magnolia tried 18 charities, completing nine of them.

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