Alapag rarin’ to play; tight semis up

Don’t be surprised if you spot Jimmy Alapag biking around or doing shooting drills at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center this morning.

Alapag, who was to check out of the hospital last night, intends to do both to loosen up his body and hopefully be ready for the opening grind in the Samsung PBA Reinforced Conference Final Four tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.

The consensus among PBA experts and mere watchers is that the presence or absence of Alapag in the Talk n Text lineup would make a difference in the TnT-Coke side of the semifinals.

Sta. Lucia Realty and San Miguel Beer are featured in the other side of the best-of-five semis. The Realtors and the Beermen clash in a rematch of their 2001 Governors Cup title playoff won by the former for their first and only title in the league.

"Of course, without Jimmy (Alapag), medyo maaapektuhan ang morale ng ibang players. But Jimmy wants to play and it’s his call," said Talk n Text coach Joel Banal.

"Obviously, (Wednesday’s incident was) a big break for us. A 50-percent healthy Alapag would make Talk n Text and my team about even. Kung 100 percent healthy siya, lamang sila," said Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes.

Though Coca-Cola swept Talk n Text in two games in the eliminations, Reyes thinks the Phone Pals are tough foes and should set out the odds-on picks in their duel.

"We also swept them in the elims in the All-Filipino but they beat us in the finals," said Reyes.

The two-time Coach of the Year awardee is wary of Talk n Text’s size and perimeter shooting, which he thought the Thunder used as their main weapons in toppling the dreaded Red Bull Barako Thunder in the quarterfinals.

"Si Vic Pablo grabe ang inilalaro, iyung perimeter shooting niya ang pumatay sa Red Bull. Hindi mai-double nang maayos si Asi Taulava dahil kumukunekta si Pablo sa labas," Reyes explained.

Minus Alapag, Banal said they have to use a system which doesn’t require a natural pointguard on the playing court. He hinted at playing the triangle offense.

"If we stop their running game, break their press and set up our half-court offense, we have a good chance of winning," said Banal.

The Phone Pals managed to do these things against the Tigers in their All-Filipino title duel as Talk n Text got away with their very first PBA title.

Is revenge on Coca-Cola’s mind? Reyes said no.

"I don’t want to use revenge as motivational tool. Kasi short-lived lang iyan. Ang kailangan gusto talagang manalo ng team mo," said Reyes.