JIMMY Alapag got his feet wet as PBA head coach when he officially took the cudgels for NLEX in its tune-up game against Converge at the Gatorade Hoops Center on Saturday.
Alapag called the shots in the Road Warriors’ 123-101 win over the FiberXers, the first time he did so since signing on just last Monday, with no less than PLDT chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan witnessing it at the Meralco office.
READ: NLEX beats Converge in Alapag's first tuneup game as head coach
The former Sacramento Kings player development coach was already with NLEX during its tune-up against Blackwater last Tuesday, but was mostly at the sidelines and let assistant Borgie Hermida be in charge.
This time, though, it was Alapag who ran the show, six days before he officially makes his PBA head coaching debut on Friday during the 50th Season Governors’ Cup opening when the Road Warriors battle guest team Macau Giant Pandas.
“My first game, I’m happy with the effort,” he said. “One thing that I’ve loved about this group from Day 1, and we’ve only been together for a week, is just their spirit, their work ethic, and selflessness they’ve been playing with.”
“Still a lot of work to be done. But (I’m) looking forward to getting started on Friday.”
Steady-going
Now well into his first week as NLEX shot-caller, Alapag said he doesn’t want to rock the boat, maintaining some of the principles of Jong Uichico, the Road Warriors' previous head coach.
At the same time, 48-year-old PBA legend is also excited to continue sharing his vast knowledge with his new wards throughout the season.
“We are making subtle adjustments. Meanwhile, we are still keeping the system ni coach Jong kasi the last thing I want to do is parang magdalawang-isip sila when they are out there trying to figure out my system or the system they ran last conference. Just trying to make subtle adjustments and being mindful of their habits, their discipline offensively and defensively,” Alapag said.
“As a coach, being almost 50 now, to be able to share what I’ve learned with them and try to help them have success in their career and with our organization, that’s what it’s all about. I’m excited to work with all of them.”
NLEX will lean on Alapag to get it over the hump after a disappointing finish to the Commissioner’s Cup where they were ousted by TNT in the quarterfinals despite being the top seed and owning a twice-to-beat advantage.
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