TNT chasing grand slam with Alapag, Williams

Photo by Nuki Sabio, PBA

BORACAY—Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams will remain major cogs in the grand slam bid of Talk ‘N Text in the season-ending Governors Cup before suiting up for the Smart Gilas national team.

Both players made the decision to see action for both squads during the PBA Board of Governors meeting held hours before the All-Star game pitting the North and the South squads at the Boracay Convention Center.

But commissioner Chito Salud made it clear that Alapag and Williams won’t be allowed to skip any game of the Tropang Texters once the import-flavored conference kicks off with a pair of out-of-the-country games on June 2 in Dubai.

“If they decide to play (in the Governors Cup), it will have to be from start to finish. And if they decide not to play, it’s from start to finish,” said Salud.  “But there’s no question about it that they will play for the national team by September.”

Salud said the board felt it best to leave the decision to Alapag and Williams, who were picked by Smart Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman along with Meralco’s Asi Taulava and Air21’s Dondon Hontiveros to reinforce the Nationals in the Asian championship in Wuhan, China, on Sept. 15 to 25.

The Governors Cup is expected to end on the third week of August.

“It’s a very, very rare opportunity that Kelly and I will have. To be back in the national team is a huge honor and we’re looking forward to it,” said Alapag, the Finals MVP together with Jason Castro in TNT’s championship runs in the Philippine and Commissioner’s Cups.

Alapag and Williams will miss the national team’s pocket tournaments in Portugal and Turkey, and the Jones Cup in Taipei, the last tournament for Smart Gilas before the Asian championship where a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics is at stake.