JIMMY ALAPAG IS NOW NLEX'S COACH
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Jimmy Alapag is back in the PBA, and I think he arrived at exactly the right time for the NLEX Road Warriors.
NLEX has been on an upward trajectory over the past few conferences. While Jong Uichico deserves tremendous credit for transforming what many considered the third-tier team in the MVP Group into a legitimate contender, bringing in Alapag as head coach could be the move that finally pushes the Road Warriors into the championship conversation.
If you've somehow forgotten who Jimmy Alapag is, this hiring completes his proverbial MVP Group bingo card.
Alapag spent 13 seasons in the PBA, with 12 of those years dedicated to TNT. During that run, he won six championships, captured two Finals MVP awards, earned a BPC, and, in 2011, was named the league's Most Valuable Player. The only other team he suited up for was Meralco, where he briefly came out of retirement and surprisingly posted better numbers than he did in his final season with TNT.
Then there's "Captain Jimmy," the Gilas Pilipinas icon whose clutch bombs helped put Philippine basketball back on the FIBA World map. His memorable three-pointers against South Korea and Senegal remain some of the most iconic moments for Filipino basketball fans.
Since retiring as a player, Alapag has built his coaching résumé in the NBA, with stints for the Sacramento Kings and their G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings. Sure, Sac-Town wasn't exactly a title-contending franchise during his stint there, but championship experience isn't something you simply overlook. That pedigree could prove invaluable for a young NLEX squad that's already knocking on the door.
Alapag inherits a team that finished atop the elimination round of the 2025-26 PBA Commissioner's Cup behind the stellar play of Robert Bolick. Ljay Gonzales has emerged as a relentless backcourt spark, while Schonny Winston continues to develop into one of the league's more dangerous scorers. The Road Warriors still need another dependable frontcourt presence, but with either the first or second overall pick in the 2027 PBA Draft, that problem could solve itself sooner rather than later.
Historically, elite point guards don't always enjoy smooth transitions into head coaching. Many struggle because seeing the game and teaching it are two entirely different skills. But Alapag has already spent years learning the profession under respected coaches in both the PBA and the NBA, so there's every reason to believe he can unlock even more from this talented roster.
Of course, Alapag's arrival also means Jong Uichico steps aside. I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. Uichico has been coaching for decades and has gradually taken on more of a mentoring role, especially as Tim Cone's trusted lieutenant with Gilas Pilipinas. If anything, this could allow him to lighten his workload while remaining one of the country's most respected basketball minds.
That also raises an interesting question.
With everything that's happened at Ateneo recently, could Uichico be convinced to wear blue once again if the Blue Eagles come calling to fill their vacant coaching position?
I mean, you know what happened to them, right?
While I doubt Uichico has the time, considering his commitments with Gilas, if Ateneo is looking for stability, credibility, and someone who genuinely values both players and the institution, it's hard to find a better candidate than Coach Jong.
Uichico has long been respected for the way he handles people as much as the way he coaches basketball.
Just as importantly, hiring someone of his stature would be a PR win for a program that could certainly use one right now.
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