Sports PH News | JS DEV Site

Tag: Jimmy Alapag

  • NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag heartbroken over DeQuan Jones injury

    NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag heartbroken over DeQuan Jones injury

    The NLEX Road Warriors continued their dominant run in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup, beating the TNT Tropang 5G, 118-111, on Tuesday, August 11, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

    But the victory came at a heavy cost as NLEX import DeQuan Jones suffered a gruesome right leg injury in the third quarter.

     

    Jones had been putting together another productive outing before the injury with 7:27 remaining in the period. He landed awkwardly after a play, with his right leg getting caught underneath him following a collision with TNT center Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.

     

    Jones immediately went down in pain as players from both teams rushed to his side. The game was briefly halted as medical personnel attended to the veteran import.

     

     

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

     

    Get the latest sports updates faster. Join the official Sports PH News Discord community today! https://discord.gg/defTe7KeT

     

    NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag lamented the loss of one of his team’s key players, saying it was heartbreaking to see Jones go down.

    “It’s heartbreaking to see him go down. He and I just had lunch yesterday, and his value to this team goes far beyond what he brings to the basketball court. It’s the person, the leadership, the character,” Alapag said in a press conference.

     

    Jones has been brilliant since returning to the PBA, averaging 24.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while helping NLEX win seven of its first eight games.

     

    The Road Warriors return to action on Friday, August 15, against the Converge FiberXers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. NLEX will then have an extended break as the PBA takes a hiatus while Gilas Pilipinas competes in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers and the 2026 Asian Games.

     

    Alapag did not disclose how NLEX plans to cope with Jones’ absence, although the team will have some time to regroup during the league’s break.

     

    “You never expect your import to go down. So we will try to figure out what we can do, but we will do the best that we can. We will try to find somebody who can fill that void,” Alapag said.

     

    Jones has since undergone successful surgery on his right leg, with NLEX team governor Ronald Dulatre saying the star import remains in high spirits following the procedure.

     

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans. 

  • Jimmy Alapag keeps NLEX unbeaten after first coaching win over mentor Chot Reyes, TNT 

    Jimmy Alapag keeps NLEX unbeaten after first coaching win over mentor Chot Reyes, TNT 

    Jimmy Alapag has collected championships, MVP awards, and unforgettable victories throughout his basketball career.

     

    But Tuesday night offered something entirely different.

     

    For the first time since becoming a PBA head coach, Alapag found himself standing across the sideline from the man who helped shape him into one of Philippine basketball’s greatest point guards—Chot Reyes.

     

    The result was another milestone in Alapag’s remarkable coaching start.

     

    NLEX stretched its flawless record to 6-0 in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup after outlasting TNT, giving the rookie tactician perhaps his most meaningful victory yet.

     

    It wasn’t simply about extending an unbeaten streak.

     

    It was about earning a win against the coach who entrusted him with the keys to the Talk N’ Text dynasty and later shared the sidelines with him in Gilas Pilipinas.

     

    Even after the final buzzer, Alapag made it clear that admiration came before competition.

     

    “Coach Chot is somebody who I have the utmost respect for,” Alapag said after the victory.

     

    “We shared a lot of success together in the PBA with Talk N’ Text and Gilas. It’s always an honor to be able to coach against the best.”

     

    Once the ball was tipped, however, the sentimental storyline gave way to a fiercely contested battle.

     

    NLEX appeared headed for a comfortable victory after building a 17-point cushion, controlling the pace and dictating the game for long stretches.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world. 

     

    Get the latest sports updates faster. Join the official Sports PH News Discord community today! https://discord.gg/defTe7KeT 

    But Reyes once again showed why he remains one of the country’s most respected coaches.

     

    Despite missing several cornerstone players, TNT steadily chipped away at the deficit, turning what looked like a runaway into a tense finish.

     

    The Road Warriors refused to crack.

     

    Timely defensive plays from Ljay Gonzales and Schonny Winston halted TNT’s comeback attempt, allowing NLEX to preserve both the win and its spotless record.

     

    Rather than celebrate his own coaching achievement, Alapag pointed to the effort of the team on the opposite bench.

     

    The Tropang 5G continue to compete without key contributors Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy, Jordan Heading, and several other regulars, yet they nearly handed NLEX its first defeat of the conference.

     

    For Alapag, that resilience reflects the influence of the man leading TNT.

     

    “That’s the kind of coach he [Reyes] is. It’s no surprise he has TNT playing the way they are even with so many key guys down,” Alapag said.

     

    The victory further strengthens NLEX’s grip on the top spot in Group A while adding another chapter to Alapag’s dream debut season as a PBA head coach.

     

    Now carrying a perfect 6-0 record, the Road Warriors will look to keep their momentum rolling when they face Terrafirma Dyip on Friday, August 7.

     

    For one night, the apprentice earned bragging rights over the mentor.

     

    For Alapag, however, the respect that helped build his basketball journey remains unchanged.

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.

  • Jimmy Alapag reunites with TNT as unbeaten NLEX faces biggest test yet 

    Jimmy Alapag reunites with TNT as unbeaten NLEX faces biggest test yet 

    Jimmy Alapag’s unbeaten start as a PBA head coach now arrives at the most personal stop on his early coaching journey.

     

    After steering NLEX to a flawless opening stretch in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, Alapag will find himself standing across the bench from the franchise where he built his legacy when the Road Warriors battle TNT Tropang 5G on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

     

    For more than a decade, Alapag was the face of TNT, leading the franchise to six championships and becoming one of the greatest point guards in PBA history. This time, however, “The Mighty Mouse” returns not in black and yellow, but as the architect of the league’s only unbeaten team.

     

    The Road Warriors have quickly become one of the conference’s biggest surprises, winning all five of their games through a fast-paced attack built around teamwork rather than individual brilliance.

     

    Their latest statement came against Converge, where NLEX broke open a tight contest with a dominant fourth-quarter surge to remain perfect. After an 88-all deadlock, the Road Warriors outscored the FiberXers 31-19 behind another explosive outing from import DeQuan Jones, who finished with 28 points, while Schonny Winston poured in 24. The pair combined for 22 points during the decisive closing run.

     

    “We wanted to stay composed and aggressive in the fourth quarter and coach Jimmy wanted us to continue to play fast, so that’s what we ended up doing,” Winston said.

     

    “We’ll stay humble, knowing it’s still a long season to go and there’s a lot of hard work to do,” Winston added.

     

    Across the floor will be a TNT squad that has found a completely different formula for winning.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world. 

     

    Get the latest sports updates faster. Join the official Sports PH News Discord community today! https://discord.gg/defTe7KeT 

    While injuries continue to sideline key stars Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, and Kelly Williams, the Tropang 5G have leaned on resilience and defense to climb back above the .500 mark.

     

    They showcased that identity by stunning defending All-Filipino champion San Miguel Beer, limiting one of the league’s highest-scoring offenses to just 89 points in an overtime victory.

     

    Import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson anchored the effort with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, while Kim Aurin delivered the performance of his career with 22 points despite waking up under the weather.

     

    “Sobrang bigat ng trabaho dahil wala sila,” Aurin said, referring to TNT’s injured players. “Mindset lang, pag libre, tira.”

     

    Even San Miguel’s prolific import George King struggled to find his rhythm early, as TNT held him to only eight first-half points before surviving overtime.

     

    For head coach Chot Reyes, the victory became another reminder that mentality can outweigh talent.

     

    “I really don’t know how we did it,” Reyes said after winning on his 62nd birthday. “What I know is how important mindset is. We could’ve had an attitude na ‘overtime na naman’ and be negative.

    But we turned it positive, saying ‘who would’ve thought we could bring them to overtime?’”

     

    “Basta ang sabi namin, daanin na lang natin sa depensa,” Reyes added.

     

    Tuesday’s matchup now offers a fascinating contrast in styles.

     

    NLEX has overwhelmed opponents with pace, depth, and offensive balance under Alapag’s fresh system. TNT, meanwhile, has rediscovered its identity through grit and defense despite operating with a depleted roster.

     

    For Alapag, extending NLEX’s perfect run would make his emotional return to TNT even sweeter. For the Tropang 5G, spoiling their former superstar’s homecoming would further prove that championship habits remain alive, even with an undermanned lineup.

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.

  • Robert Bolick credits Jimmy Alapag’s leadership as NLEX stays perfect at 4-0

    Robert Bolick credits Jimmy Alapag’s leadership as NLEX stays perfect at 4-0

    Jimmy Alapag’s influence on NLEX is being measured by more than just wins.

     

    Four games into his first stint as a PBA head coach, the Road Warriors remain the league’s lone unbeaten team, but for star guard Robert Bolick, the biggest change has come in the culture Alapag has built inside the locker room.

     

    Fresh off a commanding 110-96 victory over San Miguel Beer on Sunday, Bolick pointed to his rookie mentor’s humility and unwavering optimism as key reasons behind NLEX’s blazing start in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

     

    “Kagandahan kay coach Jimmy, legend na pero napaka-humble. Grateful kami sa mga tinuturo niya,” Bolick said.

     

    The Road Warriors improved to 4-0, becoming the only undefeated team left in the conference while continuing one of the franchise’s best starts in recent memory.

     

    According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, it marks only the fourth time NLEX has opened a conference with four straight victories, matching similar runs in 2017, 2022, and 2023.

     

    The hot start has also placed Alapag in select company. Mangonon noted that the former Gilas Pilipinas captain became the first rookie PBA head coach to win his first four games since Ato Agustin guided San Miguel to a 5-0 opening in the 2010-11 Philippine Cup.

     

    While Alapag has quickly made history, Bolick continues to lead by example on the floor.

     

    Against the Beermen, the three-time PBA All-Star flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds while controlling the game’s tempo from start to finish.

     

    Rather than forcing his offense, Bolick once again embraced his role as the team’s facilitator, trusting the Road Warriors’ growing collection of scorers to carry the load.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

     

    Get the latest sports updates faster. Join the official Sports PH News Discord community today! https://discord.gg/defTe7KeT 

    “Meron na kaming players na kayang mag-contribute sa scoring and para sa akin, kung hindi sila mainit, tatrabahuhin ko. Pero alam kong mainit ‘yung mga kasama ko tulad ngayon, hahanap ako ng paraan para malibre sila or doon sa kung saan sila makaka-shoot na komportable,” Bolick emphasized.

     

    That unselfish approach has become one of NLEX’s biggest strengths.

     

    Import DeQuan Jones paced the balanced attack with 27 points, Schonny Winston added 24, Anthony Semerad chipped in 15, while Xyrus Torres contributed 13 as four Road Warriors scored in double figures to overwhelm San Miguel.

     

    For Bolick, however, the biggest difference isn’t reflected in the stat sheet.

     

    He believes Alapag’s calm demeanor has helped the team stay composed regardless of the situation, creating an atmosphere where confidence never fades—even when adversity strikes.

    “Napaka-positive niya. Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng coach na positive na kahit sobrang sama na ng nangyayari, positive pa rin,” the veteran guard expressed.

     

    That positivity has translated into results as NLEX continues to build momentum early in the conference.

     

    The Road Warriors now turn their attention to another major test when they put their unbeaten record on the line against the Converge FiberXers on Saturday, August 1, at the Mall of Asia Arena, with Alapag looking to extend what has already become one of the best coaching debuts in recent PBA history.

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.

  • Robert Bolick credits Jimmy Alapag for transforming NLEX into a family 

    Robert Bolick credits Jimmy Alapag for transforming NLEX into a family 

    NLEX’s unbeaten start to the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup isn’t just about hot shooting or impressive offensive numbers.

     

    For Robert Bolick, the Road Warriors’ early success has been built on something much deeper—a culture that first-year head coach Jimmy Alapag has established from the moment he took over the franchise.

     

    That winning environment continued to bear fruit on Tuesday as NLEX overwhelmed Titan Ultra, 135-100, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo to stretch its record to a league-best 3-0.

     

    Bolick once again spearheaded the attack, finishing with 29 points on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting while adding seven rebounds and four assists as the Road Warriors remained one of the conference’s hottest teams.

     

    While the numbers have been impressive, Bolick pointed to Alapag’s leadership as the biggest reason behind the team’s seamless start.

     

    “Una, siyempre legend na nga sa PBA, legend pa sa Gilas, may NBA experience,” Bolick said of his head coach after the game.

     

    “Ang laking confidence hindi lang para sa akin, kundi para sa team. Kami lang makakasabi na may NBA coach kami. Malaking bagay sa team namin ‘yan.”

     

    According to Bolick, Alapag’s influence extends well beyond X’s and O’s.

     

    Rather than focusing solely on basketball, the former Gilas Pilipinas captain made it a priority to strengthen the relationships inside the locker room, believing that genuine trust off the court would naturally carry over during games.

     

    “Unang pasok ni coach, gusto niya hindi kami as a team. Family-oriented gusto niya,” Bolick shared.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    “Makikita mo naman ‘yung samahan namin. Hindi na kami as a team—we are a family. So, continue lang namin.”

     

    That family atmosphere has also translated into confidence on the floor.

     

    Bolick explained that every player has been encouraged to play without hesitation, allowing NLEX to become a balanced offensive team capable of hurting opponents from multiple positions.

     

    “Binibigay lang namin ‘yung best namin every game. Si coach binibigyan niya ng kumpiyansa lahat ng players,” he said.

     

    “Lahat kami, confident sa mga tira namin. Pag pinapasahan ko ‘yung kasama ko, alam kong kumpiyansa sila.”

     

    The confidence has shown through three games, with NLEX opening the conference undefeated while establishing itself as one of the early contenders in the Governors’ Cup.

     

    After navigating a demanding stretch of three games in six days, the Road Warriors will now enjoy a brief break before putting their perfect record on the line against the San Miguel Beermen on July 26. 

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.

  • “It feels good to be home”: Jimmy Alapag guides NLEX to franchise-record win in PBA coaching debut

    “It feels good to be home”: Jimmy Alapag guides NLEX to franchise-record win in PBA coaching debut

    Jimmy Alapag could not have scripted a better start to his head coaching career in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

     

    The PBA legend enjoyed a winning debut as NLEX opened its 2026 Governors’ Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, dismantling the Macau Giant Pandas, 114-75, at the Ynares Center in Montalban on Friday, July 10. The convincing victory not only handed Alapag his first win as a PBA head coach but also entered the franchise record books as the Road Warriors’ largest winning margin in league history.

     

    NLEX wasted little time asserting its dominance, controlling the contest on both ends of the floor behind an impressive all-around team performance. Import Daequan Jones spearheaded the attack with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds while adding three assists, providing the steady presence expected of the team’s reinforcement. Local standouts L. Gonzales and J. Bahio complemented Jones’ production with 19 and 13 points, respectively, as the Road Warriors overwhelmed the Giant Pandas with their balanced offense and disciplined defense.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

     

    The victory represented an ideal beginning for Alapag, who returned to Philippine basketball after spending the past three years in the NBA as a player development coach for the Sacramento Kings. Widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in PBA history, Alapag now embarks on a new chapter as a head coach, bringing with him years of experience accumulated both in the local professional scene and at basketball’s highest level.

     

    Following the historic victory, Alapag admitted that the result made his homecoming even more meaningful, emphasizing how much it meant to once again be part of Philippine basketball after several years abroad.

    “Saya, just to be home. Obviously, before I left in 2020, my wife and our family were here for 19 years. And the last six years, like I told you guys at the press conference when I arrived, I have seen a lot, learned a lot in my time in the NBA. That’s where fulfillment now is,” Alapag said in the postmatch press conference.

     

    The former Gilas Pilipinas captain explained that while his playing days are behind him, he now finds fulfillment in passing on everything he has learned throughout his basketball journey to the next generation of Filipino players.

     

    “I’m far removed from play, but to take everything that I have learned from my experience here, Kasama sa Gilas, and now my experience being back in the States, to pour that into this group and this generation of Philippine basketball, that’s the exciting part. And again, I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited to continue to coach this group,” he added.

     

    Alapag’s return to the PBA also featured a nostalgic reunion with one of his longtime teammates, former league Most Valuable Player Asi Taulava, who is now part of the NLEX coaching staff. The two enjoyed tremendous success together during their championship years with Talk ‘N Text, and Alapag spoke warmly about reconnecting with one of the league’s most dominant big men.

     

    “I mean, it’s great. Obviously, you guys know, you know, way, way, way back in 2003 when my, when my career started. You know, we had a lot of success together. He’s one of the most dominant guys to ever play in the PBA. So great to see him. Just like I said, being back home and being able to see everyone around the PBA, getting a chance to see you guys. It’s funny. It’s only been six years, but it felt longer. But it feels good to be home,” Alapag concluded.

     

    The Road Warriors quickly proved that their opening-night triumph was no fluke. Alapag followed up his successful debut with another victory as NLEX edged Terrafirma Dyip, 101-100, in a tense contest that showcased the team’s resilience under its new mentor. Unlike the one-sided rout of Macau, the Road Warriors had to battle until the final buzzer before escaping with the narrow one-point win, preserving their unbeaten start to the conference.

     

    With back-to-back victories, NLEX sits atop the early Governors’ Cup standings with a perfect 2-0 record, giving Alapag an ideal beginning to his first season at the helm. The Road Warriors will look to extend their winning streak to three games when they take on the Titan Ultra Giant Risers on Tuesday, July 14, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, as Alapag continues to make an immediate impact in his long-awaited return to Philippine basketball.

     

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans. 

  • “I just wanna do my best to uplift my NLEX players”: Jimmy Alapag ready for first PBA coaching challenge

    “I just wanna do my best to uplift my NLEX players”: Jimmy Alapag ready for first PBA coaching challenge

    The NLEX Road Warriors are entering a new chapter with one of Philippine basketball’s most respected figures at the helm.

     

    In one of the biggest coaching acquisitions of the PBA offseason, NLEX officially welcomed Philippine Basketball Association legend and former Sacramento Kings player development coach Jimmy Alapag as its new head coach. The appointment marks Alapag’s first opportunity to serve as a head coach in the PBA after years of building his coaching résumé both locally and overseas.

     

    Alapag succeeds veteran tactician Jong Uichico and inherits a team that emerged as one of the league’s strongest contenders during the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, where the Road Warriors finished as the No. 1 seed with an impressive 10-2 win-loss record. Expectations are naturally high, but rather than implementing sweeping changes, the six-time PBA champion is focused on strengthening the culture that already exists within the organization.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

     

    Having already conducted his first training sessions and guided the Road Warriors during a tune-up game in preparation for the upcoming Governors’ Cup, the 48-year-old expressed excitement about beginning this new chapter of his coaching career.

     

    “I was able to have conversations with the players. I’m just excited to get to work. Obviously, malapit na yung start of the Governors’ Cup. We have roughly ten days or so. So medyo ipit yung time. But I will do my best,” Alapag said during his introductory press conference.

     

    Despite the limited preparation time, Alapag was encouraged by what he witnessed from his players in their early sessions together. More than systems and tactics, he believes competitiveness and mindset will serve as the team’s foundation.

     

    “I thought the mood was great. They looked excited. I hope that’s a great sign. But I thought this morning, I told them before the game, their competitive spirit was at a high level for a tuneup game. And I think that’s the first battle. Before we get to the X’s and O’s, your competitive spirit. I think us as Filipinos, it’s natural for us. So I just wanna bring that out in all of them. I think everything else will take care of itself,” he added.

    Alapag’s appointment reunites one of the country’s greatest point guards with the PBA in a vastly different capacity. Widely regarded as one of the finest floor generals in league history, he enjoyed an illustrious playing career highlighted by multiple championships, MVP-caliber performances, and years of leadership with both club and country. Since retiring as a player, he has steadily expanded his coaching credentials, including valuable experience in the NBA.

     

    Rather than overhauling the Road Warriors’ identity, Alapag emphasized that his immediate priority is helping his players maximize their potential while fostering a stronger sense of unity inside the locker room.

     

    “I just wanna do my best to uplift my NLEX players. I think as a coach, it’s something that I learned from coach Mike Brown during our time together in Sacramento before he moved on to New York and won an NBA championship. He was all about being positive with the players and really trying to encourage them, uplift them, to allow them to play and perform at their best. That’s one of the things I’m gonna try to implement.

     

    “Growing not just as individual players but more so growing as a family. I want them to get to know me, and I also want to make sure I get to know them on a personal level. ‘Cos I think it’s so important to develop new relationships. Siyempre kilala ko sila. And I think it works both ways because if you do that, you will be able to see it when they play on the court. So just continue to grow as a team and as a family, continue to help the players improve,” he continued.

     

    The emphasis on relationships is a philosophy Alapag developed during his three-year stint as a player development coach with the Sacramento Kings. Working under respected NBA coach Mike Brown, Alapag gained firsthand experience in one of the world’s most competitive basketball environments, learning that player development extends well beyond improving on-court skills.

     

    His NBA experience reinforced the importance of communication, trust, and genuine investment in each player’s growth—principles he now hopes to bring to NLEX as the Road Warriors pursue another deep playoff run.

     

    “I think this is something I learned in my time in Sacramento. I think the relationship part of player development is a huge component. Because at the end of the day, coaches and players are human beings. And so I think it’s important to always come from a perspective of wanting to help and wanting to uplift them in their careers. I’m not playing anymore. Whatever I can do to help them have success in their careers and extend their careers, I think that’s a huge part of player development,” Alapag concluded.

     

    For NLEX, Alapag’s arrival represents more than just a coaching change—it signals the beginning of a new era built around player empowerment, accountability, and a modern approach to team culture. While the Road Warriors have already proven they can compete with the league’s best, the challenge now will be translating regular-season success into a championship breakthrough under new leadership.

     

    The Alapag era officially begins on Friday, July 10, when the Road Warriors take on guest team Macau Giant Pandas in the opening game of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. All eyes will be on one of Philippine basketball’s most decorated figures as he embarks on the next chapter of an already distinguished career—this time from the sidelines, leading a team eager to contend for a championship.

     

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans. 

  • Jimmy Alapag reunites with trusted ally Jamike Jarin as NLEX coaching staff takes shape 

    Jimmy Alapag reunites with trusted ally Jamike Jarin as NLEX coaching staff takes shape 

    Jimmy Alapag is wasting little time surrounding himself with familiar faces as he begins a new chapter with NLEX, tapping longtime coaching associate Jamike Jarin to join his staff for the upcoming PBA season.


    Among the Road Warriors’ coaching group, Jarin stands out as the lone addition personally selected by the newly appointed head coach, highlighting the trust and chemistry the two have developed through years of working together.

     

    Their partnership dates back to their successful stint with TNT, where Jarin served as an assistant coach from 2010 to 2013 while Alapag starred as the team’s floor general. 

     

    The connection continued at Meralco after Jarin joined Norman Black’s coaching staff, with both sharing the bench during Alapag’s final season as a professional player in 2015.

     

    Now, that long-standing relationship will continue at NLEX as Alapag assembles a staff he believes can help establish the culture he wants with the Road Warriors.

     

    Jarin is no stranger to head coaching responsibilities. He most recently handled Phoenix Super LPG before Charles Tiu took over the franchise last year. 

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.


    Prior to that, he also coached the Phoenix Fuel Masters before stepping away ahead of the PBA Season 50. The veteran mentor likewise built his résumé as a former national youth coach.

     

    His arrival adds another experienced voice to an already established NLEX coaching staff that includes Borgie Hermida, Emman Monfort, Melo Lim, Anton Escolin, Jorge Sison, Woody Co, and veteran Adonis Tierra. 

     

    Aside from Jarin’s appointment, the rest of the Road Warriors’ coaching lineup remains unchanged.

     

    Fans got an early glimpse of the revamped coaching staff on Tuesday when both Alapag and Jarin were seen together on the sidelines during NLEX’s tuneup game against Blackwater at the Epsilon Chi Center inside the University of the Philippines grounds.

     

    The appointment also marks Jarin’s return to the MVP Group after a nine-year absence, bringing him back to an organization where he previously enjoyed some of the most significant chapters of his coaching career.

     

    Alapag, 48, was officially named NLEX’s new head coach on Monday night, and his first major personnel move reflects a preference for continuity, familiarity, and trusted experience as he begins building the Road Warriors in his own image.

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.

  • Jimmy Alapag returns home to bring NBA experience as NLEX’s new mentor  

    Jimmy Alapag returns home to bring NBA experience as NLEX’s new mentor  

    After spending the last six years learning the game from the sidelines of the NBA, Jimmy Alapag is finally bringing that experience back to where his legendary basketball journey began.

     

    The former PBA superstar officially returns to the Philippine league—not as a player this time, but as the new head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors, a franchise hoping its next breakthrough will come under one of the country’s most respected basketball minds.

     

    NLEX made the announcement on Monday through its official social media platforms, confirming Alapag’s appointment ahead of the opening of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

     

    The move signals a major shift for a team that has consistently shown flashes of promise but has yet to establish itself as a legitimate title contender.

     

    “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.

     

    Alapag replaces veteran tactician Jong Uichico, inheriting a roster that showed significant progress during the Commissioner’s Cup after finishing the elimination round with a 10-2 record.

     

    Despite that impressive showing, NLEX’s campaign ended earlier than expected after falling to eventual finalist TNT Tropang 5G in the quarterfinals, leaving the franchise searching for the next piece that could push it deeper into the playoffs.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    Rather than making wholesale roster changes, the Road Warriors opted for a change in leadership.

     

    “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 organization added.

     

    For Alapag, the opportunity marks another milestone in a career that has already crossed multiple basketball stages.

     

    Following his decorated playing career that included six PBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, and a place among the league’s 50 Greatest Players, Alapag transitioned into coaching and eventually joined the Sacramento Kings organization.

     

    During his six-year stay, he served on the coaching staff of both the Kings and their NBA G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings, gaining valuable experience in one of the world’s most competitive basketball environments.

     

    Now, he returns to Philippine basketball carrying a different perspective—one shaped by years inside an NBA organization but rooted in the league where he became one of its greatest point guards.

     

    Alapag’s coaching debut will come immediately on opening night of the Governors’ Cup when NLEX faces guest team Macau Giant Pandas on July 10 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, officially ushering in a new era for the Road Warriors.

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.

  • Jimmy Alapag moves on from Sacramento Kings after six years as part of coaching staff 

    Jimmy Alapag moves on from Sacramento Kings after six years as part of coaching staff 

    For Jimmy Alapag, the end of a chapter doesn’t feel like an ending—it feels like a pause before the next move.

     

    After six years climbing the coaching ladder within the Sacramento Kings organization, the Filipino basketball icon has officially stepped away, closing a journey that quietly turned a long-held dream into reality.

     

    “Thank you SacTown… My time here is up,” Alapag shared. “What was once a dream to coach in the NBA became a reality in Sacramento.”

     

    It wasn’t a sudden leap. It was a gradual build.

     

    Alapag entered the system in 2019 with the Stockton Kings, grinding through the G League before earning a promotion to the NBA staff in 2023 as a player development coach under Mike Brown. He would remain part of the bench even through a transition in leadership when Doug Christie took over.

     

    In many ways, his rise mirrored his playing career—steady, earned, and rooted in preparation.

     

    Behind the scenes, Alapag worked closely with players, sharpening skills and absorbing the demands of the highest level of basketball. It was a learning ground, one that expanded his perspective far beyond X’s and O’s.

     

    “Thankful for all the amazing experiences, the lessons, the growth,” he said.

     

    But even as he developed within the NBA system, part of his focus remained tied to a bigger picture—what his journey could mean for Filipino basketball.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    In a previous conversation on Noli Eala’s Power & Play, Alapag spoke candidly about the possibility of a homegrown Filipino making it to the NBA—a breakthrough still waiting to happen.

     

    “I do think we’re close,” he said. “But these are the best players in the world, and they’re the best for a reason.”

     

    For Alapag, the path isn’t just about talent—it’s about the demands that come with it.

     

    “Whoever that special talent will be, his focus and work ethic will have to be at its highest level,” he added.

     

    “There will be so much responsibility to not only handle the pressure of being the first local or first pure Filipino to be in the NBA, but [there will also be] pressure to go out there and still perform.”

     

    That perspective carries extra weight coming from someone who has seen the NBA up close—not just as a spectator, but as part of the system.

     

    His departure also comes at a time of transition for Sacramento. The Kings are coming off a difficult 22-60 campaign, finishing near the bottom of the Western Conference, a season that could signal broader changes within the franchise.

     

    Where Alapag goes next remains uncertain.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!