THE “Mighty Mouse” has taken another step closer to his dream of coaching in the NBA.
PBA great Jimmy Alapag has been named as an assistant coach of the Stockton Kings, the Sacramento Kings’ affiliate in the NBA G League.
“Jimmy Alapag is named an assistant coach after most recently serving as the head coach for Alab Pilipinas of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) in the Philippines,” the team said in a statement last Tuesday.
“Alapag, a Filipino-American native of San Bernardino, Calif., played 14 seasons in the Philippines and enjoyed a storied career as a six-time Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) champion, two-time PBA Finals MVP, PBA MVP in 2011 and an 11-time PBA All-Star.
As a head coach, Alapag won the ABL championship in 2018.”
The former Gilas Pilipinas skipper had his baptism of fire as deputy in the Summer League in 2019 with the Kings and was more involved in Sacramento’s campaign this year where it won the title.
Alapag, 43, is hoping his coaching stints would lead to more opportunities for Filipino cagers in the Summer League and in the NBA.
“I think we’re right on track and I hope that my presence in the Summer League continues to be a platform for Filipino players,” Alapag said on Radyo5 92.3 News FM’s Power and Play program hosted by former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala.
“Obviously, I don’t play anymore but hopefully it blazes the trail for some to get that opportunity soon.”
A former pro league MVP in 2011, Alapag was assistant at San Miguel and head coach of Alab Pilipinas, which he led to an ASEAN Basketball League crown in 2018.
Alapag said the growing number of locals bringing their acts overseas is a good opportunity for them to prove their worth.
