Expect explosive show from TNT rookie

Don’t even think of Jimmy Alapag as a rookie because he’s not playing like one. In fact, he’s playing more like a veteran — a grizzled, seasoned one.

The peppery Talk N Text point guard is having the time of his life in that he’s the only rookie inside the top 10 of the overall statistical race of the ongoing Samsung PBA All-Filipino Cup.

But Alapag wasn’t even one of the top picks in this year’s draft. Ignored and bypassed by the others, the high-jumping Fil-American settled down as the 10th and last pick in the first round of the drafting.

But heading into the semis of the PBA’s most prestigious tournament, Alapag is expected to ring a lot of bells and create a lot of ripples when Talk N Text takes on Alaska in one of the semis matchups.

The semis begins Friday at the Philsports Arena with defending champion Coca-Cola and Sta. Lucia Realty squaring off in a separate best-of-five series.

And, this early, Alapag is looking forward to an extremely interesting matchup with Alaska’s Mike Cortez, this year’s top pick but running 15th in the statistical race.

Alapag, on the other hand, is running sixth, just behind certified superstars like Asi Taulava, Rudy Hatfield and Kenneth Duremdes.

"In a lot of ways Mike and I are very similar. We both have the speed and the quickness. We can score and make the job easier for our teammates," said Alapag yesterday during a wind-blown, pre-semis press conference arranged by the PBA at the Harbor View Restaurant along Manila Bay.

Others who graced the press conference that also offered a sumptuous array of all-Filipino dishes were Talk N Text coach Joel Banal and Sta. Lucia cagers Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino who were accompanied by their feisty coach Alfrancis Chua. Commissionr Noli Eala was also present.

"It will be very exciting," said Banal of the highly anticipated matchup between the two Fil-Americans dribblers.

The series could also present Alapag a great chance to make Alaska feel so sorry in not picking him in the draft.

The Talk N Text quarterback, the league leader in the assists department with 7.3 a game, refused to look at it that way.

"It’s not me against Alaska and it’s not even whether Alaska made the right choice or the wrong choice (during the draft)," said Alapag, who would have easily made it to the Busan Asian Games last year if not for an injury.

"They (Alaska) made a decision that was best for the team and we have to respect them for that," he added.

Or maybe he prefers to let his game to do the talking.

Meanwhile, the PBA’s pre-semis hype in the All-Filipino Cup comes to fore tonight with the airing of a colorful prelude over NBN-4 and IBC-13 starting at 7 in the evening. Interviews with players, coaches and team officials will spice up the program.