Alab Pilipinas faces a ‘good problem’

Alab Pilipinas head coach Jimmy Alapag. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel Alab Pilipinas coach Jimmy Alapag admits “a good problem” has surfaced following his team’s two game home stand highlighted by a 101-96 triumph over the Taipei Fubon Braves in the Asean Basketball League Season 10.

With Jeremiah Gray coming up with two solid outings for the Filipino ballclub against Macau Wolf Warriors and Fubon, Alapag has been left with a dilemma at the wing position as Jordan Heading and Louie Vigil have also shown flashes of brilliance over the course of the season.

A day after scoring 10 points in the 93-98 loss to Macau Wolf Warriors, Gray fired 17 points and came up with two crucial blocks on OJ Mayo in the final seconds that preserved the win for Alab at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

“We’re actually overloaded at the wing position,” said Alapag, whose team shares top spot with Mono Vampire with a 5-2 record.

“When you look at Miah (Gray), Louie Vigil, Jordan Heading and this early in the season, I want to give each of these guys an opportunity and I’m actually happy with the way Jordan’s been playing, but we wanted to give Miah also an opportunity to get some reps with the first group.”

Gray certainly helped his case for more minutes, but Alapag knows he would need everyone to step up with a total of 26 games this season and its next two on the road.

“It’s gonna be a challenge for the staff and I for the entire season because you have three quality wing guys who can all play and they all kind of bring something different to the table,” said Alapag. “But I think it’s a good problem for us and it’s something that the staff and I will have to figure out as the season goes along.”

Alab travels to Singapore for a duel with the Singapore Slingers at OCBC Arena on Sunday, before taking an 11-day break that will end with a clash against Hong Kong’s Eastern on the road.