Jimmy Alapag —PHOTO FROM @JALAPAG3/INSTAGRAM
The beginning of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday may even be the beginning of the method Jimmy Alapag can have to undergo in his recent foray as head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors.
Alapag and the Road Warriors tackle the guest team Macau Giant Pandas at 7:30 p.m. on the Ynares Center in Antipolo, with the goal of an auspicious debut that might bring some semblance of hope after coming off a Commissioner’s Cup campaign that resulted in misery.
Terrafirma and Titan Ultra formally open the third conference on the 5:15 p.m.
As disappointing as that campaign went when the Road Warriors were ousted within the quarterfinals despite topping the eliminations, Alapag sees that as an excellent jump-off point.
“I don’t care what happened within the quarterfinals,” he said. “I believe it’s necessary for us, along with the coaching staff, to construct on their success in that elimination (round).”
The PBA and Gilas Pilipinas legend takes over from Jong Uichico, who will remain with NLEX as a part of the coaching staff, and maybe assist in Alapag’s transition. Alapag stayed in the US throughout the last three years and worked as player development coach for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
He has loads of talent at his disposal, namely MVP candidate Robert Bolick, JB Bahio, L-Jay Gonzales plus import DeQuan Jones, who’s back after suiting up for the Road Warriors in last season’s Governors’ Cup.
NLEX takes on a Macau team that’s returning for one more participation despite a dismal 2-10 record within the Commissioner’s Cup.
The Giant Pandas, formerly generally known as the Black Knights, will are available in with a couple of familiar names in Damian Chongqui, Jenning Leung and Ramon Cao, but have also tapped Kobey Lam, who had played for the Bay Area Dragons and Hong Kong Eastern.
Macau’s import is De’Vondre Perry, whose credentials include stints in Germany, Belgium and the Dominican Republic.
Meanwhile, Terrafirma and Titan Ultra attempt to get their campaigns off on the winning track after their disappointing runs last conference.
Little changes were made by the Giant Risers, with essentially the most notable being the signing of the controversial John Amores to a one-conference deal after his skilled license was reinstated by the Games and Amusements Board following a shooting incident two years ago in Laguna.
Terrafirma, then again, once more has Juami Tiongson on its roster after it shipped Jerrick Ahanmisi and Paolo Hernandez to San Miguel Beer.
All 4 teams set to see motion in the primary twinbill of the conference are in Group A, along with San Miguel, TNT, and Converge. Teams will meet those of their group twice for a 12-game schedule, with the highest 4 advancing to the crossover quarterfinals.