As far as Alaska management is concerned, Alex Compton remains the Aces head coach.
Alaska team governor Dickie Bachmann clarified that Compton's absence for over a week in practice was not because he has been replaced by assistant coach Jeffrey Cariaso. Rather, the 44-year-old American coach had to leave the country shortly after the PBA Media Day earlier this month to attend to "family concerns"' in the United States.
"I don't know about the reports (on Compton being replaced by Cariaso.) I was shocked by that report and even Fred (Uytengsu, Alaska team owner) was also shocked," Bachman told ESPN5 on Friday.
The amiable Alaska team executive said they expect Compton to be back in Manila by February 2. The Aces will make their season debut on February 3 against Rain or Shine at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In Compton's absence, Bachman said Cariaso, along with fellow assistant coaches Eric Altamirano and Danny Ildefonso have been running the court practices. The aqua training is being supervised by long-time head trainer Gus Vargas.
The Aces have gone 0-5 in the Finals under Compton since the Alaska franchise last won a title in the 2013 Commissioner's Cup.
But Alaska has been preparing already for the 2019 season, hopeful that it can make a title run in the Philippine Cup despite the expected absence of injured forward Vic Manuel (back) and Simon Enciso (knee).
The Aces were bridesmaids in the 2018 Governors' Cup after bowing to Magnolia Pambansang Manok, 4-2 in the Finals last December.