Jimmy Alapag confirmed that he and his family are seriously considering moving to the United States, no thanks to the uncertainties brought upon by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“There was an article that came out recently. Somebody wrote about my family and I are contemplating a move to the U.S. And to be completely honest with you guys, it is something that we’re thinking about,” the PBA all-time great told 2OT, presented by SMART and supported by Phenom Sportswear Inc., on Saturday, pertaining to a story by Spin.ph earlier this month.
Alapag has been serving as an assistant coach for the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA. His main focus, though, is being the chief bench strategist of San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League.
Unfortunately, both leagues have been affected by the global health crisis, with the ABL among the hardest hit, as the league hierarchy decided to scrap its 10th season altogether last March 13.
That decision to cancel the season — where Alab was actually second in the standings with a 10-6 card— came just a couple of days after the PBA decided to suspend its 45th season that was just a day old.
“With so much uncertainty around the world, you know, and here in our country, especially from a sports and basketball landscape, it’s something that we’re thinking about,” Alapag said.
Alapag would leave his positions should he and his family fly back to the US, but the one-time ABL champion coach ascertained that he will continue growing as a mentor.
And with that, the 42-year-old said that he has already reached out to some of his contacts both in the NBA and in the G-League if there are opportunities for him there.
Alapag himself was exposed to that level of sport when he became part of the Sacramento Kings’ coaching staff in the NBA Summer League last year, thanks to former GM Vlade Divac, his teammate in the FIBA Players Commission.
“I have reached out to my contacts from Sacramento and other people I know around the NBA, the G-League, to see what opportunities there might be. We don’t know yet what direction will go, but the feedback I’ve gotten has been very very positive. We’ll see,” said Alapag, who described that stint as “eye-opening” in Tiebreaker Vodcasts’ Coaches Unfiltered last June.
“There’s still a lot happening — the NBA is still in the playoffs. They haven’t made any announcements in terms of next season, but it’s definitely a possibility. So we’ll see.”
Still, everything remains up in the air. But if the native of San Bernardino, California really decides to go back home along with his family, Alapag vowed that his heart will forever be here.
“No matter what, my heart is always here.”
