PBA: Jimmy Alapag returns to PH, named new NLEX head coach

MANILA, July 5 ------ The "Mighty Mouse" is returning to the Philippines to lead the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA. NLEX announced the appointment of Jimmy Alapag as their new head coach in a social media post. Alapag replaces Jong Uichico as NLEX bench tactician.

"Welcome to your new home coach Jimmy Alapag! As we prepare for the upcoming conference, the NLEX management believes this is the right time to introduce renewed leadership while preserving the continuity and identity that the team has built," NLEX said on social media. "We are appointing Coach Jimmy Alapag as Head Coach of the NLEX Road Warriors. Coach Jimmy brings valuable experience from an NBA organization, a strong basketball philosophy, and a player-centered approach that we believe can help elevate the team to the next level," the team further said.

NLEX made the announcement ahead of the PBA 50 Governors' Cup. "This move is about strengthening the program, combining fresh perspectives with continuity, and giving ourselves the best opportunity to achieve our goal of becoming a championship-caliber team," the team said.

Alapag is coming off a six-year stint in the coaching staff of the Sacramento Kings in the NBA and its G League affiliate Stockton Kings. The 48-year-old is a six-time PBA champion, two-time PBA Finals MVP, and is among the 50 Greatest Players in PBA History.

Alapag takes over an NLEX squad that had 10 wins and two losses in the elimination round of the PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup. The Road Warriors got knocked out of the conference after losing to the TNT Tropang 5G in the quarterfinals. Alapag will get his first taste of action in the PBA on the opening night of the Governors' Cup. NLEX will face the Macau Giant Pandas on July 10 at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com