For years, Jimmy Alapag has been known as one of the most passionate players to ever grace Philippine basketball. Rarely does he get slapped for technical fouls or get into confrontations.
So when he gets out of line, you know something is wrong.
Controversy arose Wednesday evening, during Tanduay Alab Pilipinas’ second home game against the Singapore Slingers.
After cutting the lead down from 10 points to six with less than three minutes left, a crucial non-traveling call against Singapore Slingers World Import Xavier Alexander drew the ire of the home crowd and Alapag.
“It was, you know… I’ll never blame the referees for a loss but that was… that was a bad call, a really bad call.
“You know, with the game still in the balance – six-point game, two minutes left and you made that call? I mean, it wasn’t close. I mean, I’ve played for a long time, if it was close, okay fine,” expressed the six-time PBA champion.
Alexander was able to score off that possession while Alapag was slapped with a technical that resulted to an AJ Mandani free throw that turned a six-point lead to a nine-point cushion for Singapore with 1:52 remaining.
What frustrated the 40-year-old tactician more was that the officials even admitted that they made the wrong call.
“They even told me afterward that it was our fault, it was our fault” disclosed Alapag. “But then we’re down 10 because you gave me a technical and you count a shot that shouldn’t have counted.
“It was a big call, and again, it’s something that I wasn’t happy about.”
Still, Alapag gave credit where credit was due.
The youthful head coach echoed the sentiments of Justin Brownlee in admitting that the Slingers played with more energy than Alab.
“But that wasn’t that what cost us the game, I think Singapore just came out and played a better game than we did,” said Alapag as Singapore out-rebounded the taller Alab, 45-43, and was more aggressive in getting to the line.
Down to a 3-4 slate, Alapag vowed that Alab will bounce back when they take on Mono Vampire and its dangerous backcourt of Paul Zamar and Jason Brickman on the road.
“We’ll regroup. Again, it’s a heavy month of games,” said the Gilas legend. “The great thing is we play again this Sunday. Last thing we want is to lose a game like tonight then have a two-week layoff like we did early in the season.
“But we’ll get better and be ready for Mono on Sunday.”
