Jimmy Alapag, family move to US for good

Jimmy Alapag. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jimmy Alapag may have left the country with his family and continue his coaching career in the United States, but his impact and contributions to Philippine basketball will never go away.

Well-wishes rained down on Alapag, one of the best and most revered athletes in the country, on the day of his flight to Los Angeles Tuesday.

“Good luck @jalapag3 🇵🇭 🏀 🇺🇸 Thanks for being my best talent and for the sincere friendship through the years. You’ll forever be family to me,” his agent Charlie Dy posted on social media.

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“I just want to say thank you for being a mentor, a friend, and most importantly a father figure to me. Thank you for inspiring me to be better on and off the court. You are truly the definition of what greatness is,” TNT guard Ray Parks wrote on Instagram.

Parks was an integral part of the Alab Pilipinas team, which was handled by Alapag, that won the ABL title in 2018.

“I’ll continue to listen to your words of wisdom and strive to be the best I can be. I wish you all the best on your next chapter and I pray for safe travels for you and the fam. One love, coach. #Winnerswin.”

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The uncertainty brought about by the coronavirus pandemic played a big factor in Alapag’s decision to move to the US and explore possible opportunities.

The Fil-American point guard, who was born in San Bernardino, California, was the 10th overall pick by Talk ’N Text in the 2003 PBA Draft.

Alapag, whose former teammates and peers also wished him best of luck on social media, won six championships with TNT and was a two-time Finals MVP. He was also named MVP in 2011.

Apart from having a decorated PBA career, Alapag also cemented his legacy as one of the greatest guards who wore the national colors after helping Gilas Pilipinas win two silver medals in the Fiba Asia Championship and return to the Fiba World Cup.

The 42-year-old Alapag also had his fair share of success as a coach, winning three Southeast Asian Games gold medals as an assistant with Gilas and two PBA titles also as an assistant with the San Miguel Beermen.