BANGKOK—As a player, Jimmy Alapag became an international legend by making big shots at the crunch for Gilas Pilipinas.
Now coaching San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League, the pint-sized gunslinger can gift the Philippines with an international crown.
Two imports who have endeared themselves to a country that embraces the sport like religion and a young star with plenty to prove will help Alapag achieve his goal.
Alapag knows his players have their work cut out for them when they shoot for the ABL crown against Mono Vampire on Monday at Stadium 29 in the Thai capital of Bangkok.
“We’ll put our heart and our soul in Game 4,” said Alapag after Alab, led by imports Justin Brownlee and Renaldo Balkman and local Most Valuable Player Ray Parks, hacked out a 99-93 win over the Thai club last Sunday.
Alab can become the third Filipino team to win the title after the Philippine Patriots and the San Miguel Beermen in the 3:30 p.m. contest (4:30 p.m. in Manila).
But finishing the job won’t be easy against a Mono squad that plays with fluidity on offense, thanks to Filipino-American point guard Jason Brickman.
The winner-take-all Game 5, if necessary, will be played at Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna on Wednesday.
“That is a very, very good team on the other side, very, very well-coached, and we’re going into a hostile environment,” said Alalag.
“We have to make sure we stick to the game plan and recover especially because it’s a quick turnaround. We have just 36 hours before Game 4 from Game 3.”
Parks did most of the damage in Game 3, knocking down big shots in the last three minutes on his way to a team-high 30 points.
Brownlee had 27 points, including 17 in the second half, while Balkman finished with 24 points.
But the biggest difference turned out to be rebounding, which saw Alab take a huge advantage, 58-42.
“I’m lucky to have two imports who are winners in Balk (Balkman) and Justin (Brownlee),” said Alapag.
Mono coach Douglas Marty expects a strong response from his squad with their season on the line.
“They’re such an excellent team,” said Marty. “We have to prove that our defensive scheme is effective. I believe in our team, we’ve been resilient all season.”