Manila, Philippines - Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams are now on loan to Smart Gilas and won’t be allowed to play for Talk n Text even for a game in the coming PBA Governors Cup.
This is the status of Alapag and Williams as far as PBA commissioner Chito Salud is concerned, discouraging the Texters from thinking they can still use the two key players in their first few games in the season-ending tourney.
“We will not allow that. It’s unfair to Air21 and Meralco which, after the second conference, readily released Dondon Hontiveros and Asi Taulava to the national team,” said Salud. “First of all, that’s the understanding of the PBA board.
Salud said it’s either Smart Gilas gets Alapag and Williams at once or not at all.
“But I would ask them why,” said Salud in case Smart Gilas drops its original plan of getting Alapag and Williams as reinforcements.
Alapag and Williams themselves are raring to play for both Talk n Text and Smart Gilas, if possible.
Topping the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Talk n Text is suddenly faced with the dilemma of loaning Alapag and Williams to Smart Gilas at the expense of the team’s shot at a grand slam.
“I don’t know the sure answer because I don’t know what’s their (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) arrangement with the PBA. If I would have my way, of course I would want them to play for Talk n Text and the national team,” Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes said.
Alapag said it’s an honor to play for the national team but he also wants to help Talk n Text achieve the grand slam.