Ex-Gilas teammates share how they spend time during lockdown

FILE – Jimmy Alapag. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Aside from staying in shape, PBA stars have also used the long break to learn other things while being at home with their families.

Teaching their kids and cooking for the family are just among the stuff they do to be productive during quarantine as the league remains suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I think my reading has gone better because I read a lot to my kids,” said Jimmy Alapag, the former star point guard turned coach who reunited with his three former Gilas Pilipinas teammates during an episode of “PBA Kamustahan.”

“With the kids having so much time at home, you do a lot of things like reading, teaching, or being on the Ipad for two to three hours,” added Alapag, who also said he’s been helping his wife LJ in her pastries and cake apart from watching a ton of Disney movies with their kids. “My packaging skills for LJ’s business, I’m now a professional,” Alapag said.”

Spending a lot of time at home has also allowed them to learn more about himself.

“It’s very challenging, very tricky,” said Barangay Ginebra point guard LA Tenorio in a story on the PBA website.

“I discovered a lot of things. I got better in math by teaching my kids.”

The same goes for Gin Kings shooter Jeff Chan, who learned how to cook and developed unlikely fondness with their four Persian cats.

“My kids, Donna (wife), they love cats. And eventually, the last three months, I’ve learned to love cats as well even though I wasn’t into them before,” Chan said.

Rain or Shine standout Gabe Norwood, meanwhile, got into gardening thanks to his wife Lei.

“My wife has begun being into gardening. She’s been purchasing little plants, and in the condo we don’t have enough space, so we kind of maximize our balcony,” he said.

“My role is to just water plants. Two times a day. I have my morning shift and my evening shift. If any plants die, it’s my fault.”