NLEX hunts 6-0 as Alapag meets former team

MANILA, Philippines — NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag sees a mix of nostalgia and cutthroat business in this explosive duel with defending PBA Governors’ Cup champion TNT.

“Obviously, a lot of history there, a lot of great memories there,” Alapag said of the team that stands in the way as the rampaging Road Warriors bid for a mouthwatering 6-0 record and a first-round sweep of Group A.

“Some of the guys who I played with are still there – Jayson (Castro) and Ranidel (de Ocampo) and Ryan (Reyes) on the coaching staff. But we have a job to do for NLEX so we’ll get to work and shift our focus to be ready.”

Alapag spent the best years of his playing career with TNT, winning six PBA titles along with his lone MVP plum in 2011, and worked for a long time with Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes.

And now, the TNT and Gilas Pilipinas legend wants to get one against his former colleagues in their very first faceoff since his appointment to the NLEX helm.

Reyes is all praises for Alapag’s performance and expects a tough challenge for the Tropang 5G (3-2), who have managed to win their last two assignments despite an injury-plagued roster.

“It will be an honor coaching against a legitimate NBA coach,” Reyes said of his former captain, who, prior to taking the NLEX job, served as player development coach for the Sacramento Kings.

“Not only are they unbeaten but they’re playing at a very high level, higher than any other team in the league. I’m so proud of the great job that he’s doing there.”

The NLEX-TNT tiff blasts off at 7:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium after the curtain-raiser between Macau (2-4) and Titan Ultra (1-5). The Giant Pandas have reignited their campaign with back-to-back wins.