Jimmy Alapag makes debut as he eyes roaring start with NLEX

Jimmy Alapag —PHOTO FROM @JALAPAG3/INSTAGRAM

The start of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday will also be the start of the process Jimmy Alapag will have to go through in his new foray as head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors.

Alapag and the Road Warriors take on the guest team Macau Giant Pandas at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, with the goal of an auspicious debut that could bring some semblance of hope after coming off a Commissioner’s Cup campaign that ended in misery.

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Terrafirma and Titan Ultra formally open the third conference at the 5:15 p.m.

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As disappointing as that campaign went when the Road Warriors were ousted in the quarterfinals despite topping the eliminations, Alapag sees that as a good jump-off point.

“I don’t care what happened in the quarterfinals,” he said. “I think it’s important for us, together with the coaching staff, to build on their success in that elimination (round).”

The PBA and Gilas Pilipinas legend takes over from Jong Uichico, who will remain with NLEX as part of the coaching staff, and perhaps help in Alapag’s transition. Alapag stayed in the United States during the last three years and worked as player development coach for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.

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He has plenty of talent at his disposal, namely MVP candidate Robert Bolick, JB Bahio, L-Jay Gonzales plus import DeQuan Jones, who is back after suiting up for the Road Warriors in last season’s Governors’ Cup.

NLEX takes on a Macau team that is returning for another participation despite a dismal 2-10 record in the Commissioner’s Cup.

The Giant Pandas, formerly known as the Black Knights, will come in with a few familiar names in Damian Chongqui, Jenning Leung and Ramon Cao, but have also tapped Kobey Lam, who had played for the Bay Area Dragons and Hong Kong Eastern.

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Macau’s import is De’Vondre Perry, whose credentials include stints in Germany, Belgium and the Dominican Republic.

Meanwhile, Terrafirma and Titan Ultra try to get their campaigns off on the winning track after their disappointing runs last conference.

Little changes were made by the Giant Risers, with the most notable being the signing of the controversial John Amores to a one-conference deal after his professional license was reinstated by the Games and Amusements Board following a shooting incident two years ago in Laguna.

Terrafirma, on the other hand, once again has Juami Tiongson on its roster after it shipped Jerrick Ahanmisi and Paolo Hernandez to San Miguel Beer.

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All four teams set to see action in the first twinbill of the conference are in Group A, together with San Miguel, TNT, and Converge. Teams will meet those in their group twice for a 12-game schedule, with the top four advancing to the crossover quarterfinals.