From calling plays to changing diapers, Alapag finds balance being coach and father

Photo by Randolph B. Leongson

STA. ROSA — Work never ends for Jimmy Alapag.

After steering San Miguel Alab Pilipinas to the 2018 ASEAN Basketball League Finals with a 79-72 Game 2 victory over Hong Kong Eastern, the legendary guard had to quickly tend to his sleepy son Ian, whom he had to cradle to sleep during the post-game press conference.

READ: Alab Pilipinas sweep Hong Kong, make ABL Finals

Alapag, though, have no complaints as he cherishes these moments to bond with his young son.

“Unfortunately, he was only able to see my last year playing. So now, to have him and my other two kids be able to go along this journey and see their dad coaching, it means a lot,” he said.

Alapag truly treasures every chance he gets to be with his son, so much so that they emerged on the court for Game 2 wearing the same outfit: a white sleeved shirt and khaki pants.

“My kids are everything to me and for them to be able to around the guys and be able to understand what athletes do, whether he gets any interest in sports or not, I know he really enjoys being around the team,” he said. “It’s just a great experience for him to be around the guys and the guys enjoy having him around. He’s just invested in how the team is doing.”

It’s not easy to be a coach and a father but Alapag said juggling responsibilities keeps him on top of his game.

“When I played, I used to take losses really hard. When I didn’t have kids, you go home, you’re by yourself, and you think about the game,” he said.

“Now that I’m not playing, there’s a lot of stress that goes into coaching, but the best part is now I have my family. Now I have my kids, and as stressed out as I might be, I still get to come home and change my son’s diaper, my daughter wants milk at 3 a.m. and I got to make her milk. It’s a great balance. My family is everything and I’m thankful to have them to have them with me.”

Despite having sleepless nights, Alapag reiterated that “I wouldn’t have it another way.”

Alapag and the rest of Alab Pilipinas are only three wins away from the ABL title, which is what they’ve been working so hard for.