For Jimmy Alapag, he’s truly honored to have worked with some of the brightest minds in Philippine basketball.
From Chot Reyes, to Jong Uichico, to the Grand Slam-winning Norman Black, and to the world-renowned Tab Baldwin, one of the PBA’s all-time greats has had the opportunity to pick their brains.
Alapag has used all the lessons he’s learned in the last two years he has been coaching. As proof, he steered San Miguel Alab Pilipinas to the ABL championship in 2018.
And now, when he returns to Gilas Pilipinas as part of its coaching staff for the 30th Southeast Asian Games, Alapag will have the chance to learn from another great coach in Tim Cone.
The current San Miguel Beermen assistant coach is very much looking forward to the experience.
“I’ve been fortunate throughout my career as a player and even coaching to be around some of the best minds in our country, from coach Norman, coach Chot coach Tab, coach Jong,” said Alapag on Sunday after SMB’s 109-83 win over Alaska in their 2019 Governors’ Cup encounter.
“Now, coach Tim.
“To have this opportunity with coach Tim for the first time… He’s one of the greatest coaches to ever coach in the Philippines, so I’m looking to forward to the opportunity to work with him,” he added.
Cone named the former Gilas captain to his staff this Saturday along with the decorated Uichico, marking their return to the national team after a long while.
Alapag and Uichico worked together in the 2017 edition of the regional biennial meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There, they led a Gilas team composed of young PBA players to the gold medal.
“I’ll be back with coach Jong because the last SEA Games, we were together in KL,” said Alapag.
Gilas will buckle down for work on Monday evening at the Meralco Gym in Pasig to start their preparations for the Games. Alapag is looking forward to meet some familiar faces again.
There’s Joe Devance who will be part of the coaching staff since he can’t play due to a foot injury. Former teammates Jayson Castro and LA Tenorio will be present as well, as they’re part of the pool.
“With Joe, we’ve competed against each other for so long, and for him to get a little taste in coaching, a little headstart, it’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna be great to be around the guys especially LA and Jayson,” he said.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been together,” Alapag added.
“Looking forward to it.”
