Alapag gives Bolts depth, leadership

MANILA, Philippines - Jimmy Alapag is thrilled over his return to the PBA and hopes to provide stability and leadership for Meralco which kicks off its campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup against defending champion San Miguel Beer tonight.

With Alapag, coach Norman Black said he will have a more stable backcourt, not to mention a coaching extension on the floor with the veteran playmaker expected to inspire young guards Simon Atkins, Anjo Caram and Baser Amer.

He missed the PBA Season 41 opening ceremonies after attending the meeting of the FIBA players’ commission in Geneva, Switzerland.

“I’m excited to be back as part of the PBA family. Looking forward to the 41st season,” he said.

In Geneva, he sat down in a meeting with luminaries including commission chairman Vlade Divac, Sweden’s Elisabeth Egnell, Senegal’s Boniface N’Dong, Argentina’s Fabricio Oberto, Brazil’s Adriana Santos, Nigeria’s Olumide Oyedeji, the United States’ Katie Smith, Finland’s Hanno Mottola, Belgium’s Tomas Van Den Spiegel and Slovenia’s Radoslav Nesterovic.

He was nominated to the commission, representing Asia, after his remarkable performance in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

At the House of Basketball in the FIBA headquarters, Alapag was proud to see the Gilas Pilipinas basketball from the World Cup as part of the historic memorabilia on display.