Alapag to Road Warriors: Let’s grow

MANILA, Philippines — Build on the gains from the previous PBA Commissioner’s Cup and forget about the quarterfinals bust.

That’s what new NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag wants the Road Warriors to do as they begin their journey together in next week’s Governors’ Cup.

“I thought they had a great elimination round. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out in the quarters. My message to them was I don’t care about what happened during the quarterfinals. What’s important is for us to try to build on this success,” Alapag said in yesterday’s press conference organized by Virtual Playground Management.

The Road Warriors enjoyed one of their best campaigns in the preceding conference under Alapag’s predecessor, Jong Uichico, winning all but two of their elims assignments.

But even with their top seeding and twice-to-beat advantage, they failed to move forward, losing to No. 8 TNT two times.

“I still think it’s a valuable experience,” said Alapag of NLEX’ last campaign.

“Immediate goal is to make a deeper run (in the playoffs). Long-term, just to continue to help them grow. That’s something I spoke to them about this morning (in his first meeting with the team), to grow not just as individuals but as a family.”

The 48-year-old TNT and Gilas Pilipinas great is making his PBA comeback after spending the last six years as player development coach of the Sacramento Kings in the NBA.

“It’s the right time. Almost six years in the NBA, I had the opportunity to see a lot, learn a lot and grow. And now I have the opportunity to go back home, share all of that knowledge and wisdom that I gained in the NBA to Philippine basketball,” said Alapag, who was joined by his manager Charlie Dy, wife LJ and kids and NLEX senior consultant Virgil Villavicencio in the gab.

NOTES: Playing without Justin Brownlee and Mike Phillips, Gilas Pilipinas hammered out a 94-66 romp over New Zealand club Franklin Bulls, 94-66, in their tuneup yesterday in Pukekohe, Auckland. The Nationals raced to a 32-19 tear to set the tone for the smashing follow-up to their 90-61 demolition of the Manawatu Jets last Sunday in Palmerston North that gave them momentum going to the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Window 3 on Friday against NZ and Monday against Australia.