Alex Compton

Alex Compton

Compton in 2016
Personal information
Born	(1974-03-16) March 16, 1974 (age 50) Makati, Philippines
Nationality	American
Listed height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight	175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school	Madison West (Madison, Wisconsin)
College	Saint Joseph's (1992–1994) Cornell (1995–1997)
Playing career	1998–2008
Number	44
Coaching career	2006–2019
Career history
As player:
1998–2000	Manila Metrostars
2001	Batangas Blades
2002	LBC-Batangas Blades
2003	Sunkist-UST Tigers
2004–2005	Montaña Pawnshop Jewels
2006–2008	Welcoat Dragons
As coach:
2006–2009	Welcoat Dragons/Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (assistant)
2009–2012	Coca-Cola Tigers / Powerade Tigers (assistant)
2012–2014	Alaska Aces (assistant)
2014–2019	Alaska Aces
Career highlights and awards
As player: 2× MBA champion (1999, 2001) MBA Most Valuable Player (1999) All-MBA (1999, 2001) PBL champion (2004-05 Open Championship's) PBL Finals MVP (2004-05 Open Championship's) PBL Mythical Second Team (2003-04 Platinum, 2006 Unity) PBL Sportsmanship Award (2002-03 Challenge) As assistant coach: PBA champion (2013 Commissioner's)
Medals Men's Basketball Assistant coach for   Philippines FIBA Asia Championship 2015 Changsha Team William Jones Cup 2015 Taipei National Team

Alexander M. Compton (born March 16, 1974) is a Filipino-born American retired basketball player and coach. He also served as the head coach of the Alaska Aces of the Philippine Basketball Association.

Early life and college career

Born in Makati in the Philippines, Compton and his family spent a year in northeastern Thailand when he was ten years old. ^[1] His parents, both Southeast Asian Studies scholars, were researchers there. ^[2]

Compton moved to Madison from Ithaca, New York in 1988, when his parents began working at the University of Wisconsin. ^[3] He was a starting guard on the 1992 Madison West High School basketball squad. There he helped lead the school's only state championship team since 1945. After high school, he played for St. Joseph's University and Cornell University. ^[4]

Although Compton dreamed of playing in a foreign league, he had no clue how to get into one until his junior year at Cornell. ^[5] When a coach heard that he was born in the Philippines, he told Compton that he could play on a team in the Philippine Basketball Association. He found an agent, who arranged for him to join a team in July 1997, after graduation. ^[6]

Playing career

Compton played four seasons in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association with the Manila Metrostars and the Batangas Blades. ^[7] He won the 1999 MBA Most Valuable Player award when the Metrostars won the national title, and won another championship with the Blades in 2001.

By the time the MBA folded in 2002, Compton was a fixture in Philippine basketball and fully assimilated into the culture. ^[8] However, he still could not play in the PBA due to the league's eligibility rules, which do not allow naturalized Filipino citizens to play. Instead, he appeared on television as a basketball analyst, but was finally allowed to play for a short period of time for the Welcoat Dragons in the PBA. ^[3]

Compton also got an exception from the Philippine Basketball League. ^[6] He played for the Sunkist-UST Tigers and the Montaña Pawnshop Jewels from 2003 to 2005. ^{[9] [10]} He led the Jewels to its only PBL crown in the 2005 PBL Open Championship.

Coaching career

Being an assistant

In the 2006–07 PBA Philippine Cup, Compton was hired as one of the assistant coaches of the Dragons before being allowed by the PBA to play as the team's second import for the 2007 and 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference, his only PBA appearance as a player. ^[8] He was elevated to the assistant head coaching position with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters from 2006 to 2009.

He then moved over to Powerade Tigers as assistant to Bo Perasol until its last conference in 2012. ^[11]

After the Powerade franchise was sold to GlobalPort, he became an assistant to Luigi Trillo of Alaska. He helped the squad win the 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup, their 14th title and the first in the post-Tim Cone era. ^[12] During this time, he also received offers to become the head coach for the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the GlobalPort Batang Pier. ^{[13] [14]}

Alaska

Compton as Aces' head coach

Two games into the 2014 PBA Governors' Cup, Compton was appointed the head coach of Alaska Aces, ^[15] replacing Luigi Trillo. ^[16] In his first head coaching stint, he led the Aces to the semi-finals, losing to Rain or Shine in full five games. ^[7]

In the following season, Compton steered the Aces to the 2014–15 Philippine Cup finals where he went up against Coach Leo Austria, who had been his head coach when they were still with Welcoat. ^[17] Alaska went on to lose to the San Miguel Beermen in seven hard-fought games. ^[18] He then got to coach the South All-Stars during the 2015 All-Star Weekend. ^[19] He also guided the Aces to the 2015 Governors' Cup finals only to be swept by the Beermen in four games. ^[20] In a rematch of the previous season's Philippine Cup finals, the Beermen once again beat the Alaska Aces in 7 games, completing the Beermen's historic comeback from down 0–3 to win the series. ^[21] Alaska returned to the finals once again in the 2015 Commissioner's Cup, where they lost 4–2 to Rain or Shine. ^[22]

In 2018, Compton led Alaska to another finals appearance, where they lost to the Magnolia Hotshots. ^[23] He resigned as coach in 2019 and was replaced by another Alaska franchise legend Jeffrey Cariaso. ^[23]

National team

In 2015, Compton was invited by Philippines men's national basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin to be one of his coaching staff as assistant coach. ^[24] He helped the national team to win two silver medals from 2015 William Jones Cup and 2015 FIBA Asia Championship respectively. ^[25]

Compton officially returned to the program in 2020. ^[26] In October of that year, he left the program, returning to the US to be with family. ^[27]

Career statistics

College

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

^[28]

Season	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
1992–93	St. Joseph's	19	0	2.7	.421	.364	.833	.3	.2	.1	.0	1.3
1993–94		19	0	4.4	.438	.250	1.000	.3	.5	.2	.0	1.4
1995–96	Cornell	26	19	24.8	.374	.363	.867	2.6	2.7	1.0	.1	11.2
1996–97		26	25	35.7	.464	.425	.852	2.5	3.5	1.1	.0	11.9
Overall		90	44	19.0	.417	.388	.869	1.6	1.9	.7	.0	7.2

Head coaching record

Professional

Team	Season	Conference	G	W	L	PCT	Finish	PG	PW	PL	P-PCT	Result
Alaska	2013–14	Governors' Cup	7	4	3	.571	3rd	6	3	3	.500	Lost in the semifinals
Alaska	2014–15	Philippine Cup	11	8	3	.727	3rd	15	10	5	.667	Lost in the finals
		Commissioner's Cup	11	5	6	.455	6th	2	0	2	.000	Lost in the quarterfinals
		Governors' Cup	11	8	3	.727	1st	8	4	4	.500	Lost in the finals
Alaska	2015–16	Philippine Cup	11	9	2	.818	3rd	12	7	5	.583	Lost in the finals
		Commissioner's Cup	11	7	4	.636	3rd	14	7	7	.500	Lost in the finals
		Governors' Cup	11	6	5	.545	6th	1	0	1	.000	Lost in the quarterfinals with twice-to-win disadvantage
Alaska	2016–17	Philippine Cup	11	7	4	.636	2nd	2	0	2	.000	Lost in the quarterfinals with twice-to-beat advantage
		Commissioner's Cup	11	4	7	.364	9th	—	—	—	—	Missed playoffs
		Governors' Cup	11	3	8	.273	9th	—	—	—	—	Missed playoffs
Alaska	2017–18	Philippine Cup	11	7	4	.636	3rd	2	0	2	.000	Lost in the quarterfinals
		Commissioner's Cup	11	8	3	.727	2nd	5	2	3	.400	Lost in the semifinals
		Governors' Cup	11	8	3	.727	3rd	11	6	5	.545	Lost in the finals
Alaska	2019	Philippine Cup	11	4	7	.364	8th	1	0	1	.000	Lost in the quarterfinals with twice-to-win disadvantage
		Commissioner's Cup	11	4	7	.364	8th	2	1	1	.500	Lost in the quarterfinals with twice-to-win disadvantage
Career Total			161	92	69	.571	Playoff Total	81	40	41	.494	0 PBA championship

Commentary

Compton started being a color commentator in PBA on NBN/IBC. ^[29] He was notably did it in 2005 for UAAP Basketball coverages of ABS-CBN Sports with Sev Sarmenta. After that, he also served as a color commentator for PBA coverages in 2009 for Solar TV and returned to commentary in 2016 PBA Governors' Cup Finals on TV5. In 2019, he was a commentator for PBA Rush. ^[30]

Personal life

Compton is currently married to a Filipina, model Michelle Astudillo. ^{[16] [5]} They have two sons and a daughter. ^[31]

Compton was fluent of speaking Tagalog. ^[32] He also appeared on Coffee Mate commercials in early 2000s, where he has some Tagalog lines. ^{[33] [34]}

References

1. Bowlen, Thelma. ". : HerWord : Spotlight : ". Archived from the original on July 15, 2006. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
2. Leongson, Randolph B. (June 12, 2019). "Black, Cone, Compton, Brownlee: Americans by blood, Filipinos at heart". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
3. Bartholomew, Rafe (March 8, 2007). "Hoops across the ocean". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
4. Henson, Joaquin M. (November 6, 2002). "Why not exempt Alex Compton?". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
5. "Alex Compton: On Filipinos, Fil-Ams, and his love affair with the Philippines | InterAksyon.com | Sports5". Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
6. "Compton gears up for PBL wars". Philstar.com. October 29, 2002. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
7. "Coach Compton says Alaska will focus preparation on defense – Alaska Aces Official Website". www.alaskaaces.com.ph. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014.
8. Bartholomew, Rafe (2010). Pacific rims : beermen ballin' in flip-flops and the Philippines' unlikely love affair with basketball. New York: New American Library. pp. 210–211. ISBN   978-0-451-22999-1. OCLC   462903288.
9. "Compton the man for Sunkist". Philstar.com. December 19, 2003. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
10. Velasco, Bill (June 13, 2006). "Montana's jewel doesn't fade, he just goes away". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
11. Henson, Joaquin M. (March 2, 2012). "Something special in Powerade". The Philippine STAR .
12. Pamintuan, Carlo (May 20, 2013). "PBA: The Alaska Aces won it the right way".
13. Cordero, Abac (November 7, 2012). "Compton eyed as next Ateneo coach". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
14. "Source: Racela brothers, Compton in the frame as Globalport mulls coaching change". Spin.ph. November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
15. "PBA News: Alex Compton is new Alaska coach after shock exit of Luigi Trillo". May 25, 2014. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
16. "Unlike Todd Purves, Alaska's Alex Compton can be officially designated coach in PBA. Here's why". Spin.ph. May 25, 2014.
17. "SMB coach Leo Austria and former assistant Compton stand on verge of maiden PBA title". Spin.ph. January 6, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
18. Sacamos, Karlo (January 21, 2015). "Alaska coach Alex Compton on clutch Arwind Santos three-pointer: 'To make that shot, that's guts'". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
19. "South coach Compton ribs Taulava: 'I think this is first time an All-Star starter is older than his coach'". Spin.ph. March 6, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
20. Ramos, Gerry (July 17, 2015). "Game Two meltdown the beginning of the end for Alaska Aces, say coaches". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
21. Cordero, Abac (February 3, 2016). "Alaska goes down fighting". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
22. Ramos, Gerry (May 20, 2016). "Alaska keeps faith in Alex Compton, signs coach to three-year contract extension". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
23. Leongson, Randolph B. (August 22, 2019). "Alex Compton resigns, Jeff Cariaso takes over as Alaska Aces coach". Spin.ph. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
24. Sacamos, Karlo (July 31, 2015). "Gilas call-up a timely distraction for Alex Compton as pain from Alaska letdown lingers". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
25. Giongco, Mark (October 29, 2019). "Alex Compton happy to help Gilas, proud to see Vic Manuel at national pool". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
26. Naredo, Camille B. (February 17, 2020). "FIBA: Compton reunites with former NBTC stars in Gilas". ABS-CBN News . Retrieved June 11, 2022.
27. Ramos, Gerry (October 7, 2020). "SBP respects Compton move as Gilas deal not on full-time basis". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
28. "Alex Compton College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
29. So, Jannelle. "PBA in the time of SARS". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
30. Bacnis, Justine (October 22, 2019). "Alex Compton enjoying life away from the sidelines". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
31. Sacamos, Karlo (July 1, 2015). "Compton's first born daughter proved to be instant lucky charm as Aces complete mighty comeback win". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
32. "Abueva takes English lessons, Banchero gets Tagalog classes under Alaska program". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
33. Coffee Mate (feb 2004) , retrieved March 2, 2024
34. Nestlé Coffee Mate 30s - Philippines, 2002 , retrieved March 2, 2024

External links

• Alex Compton

Preceded by John Ferriols	MBA Most Valuable Player 1999	Succeeded by Rommel Adducul