Alab Pilipinas gets huge coaching boost as it taps Alapag for the ABL

Once spotted in Olivarez last season as a spectator, Jimmy Alapag (left) will now man the sidelines of Alab Pilipinas. (file)

By Kevin Estrada

Alab Pilipinas got a huge boost on the sidelines as it formally announced the appointment of Jimmy Alapag to the head coaching job over the weekend.

This comes after a week-long promotion by the country's ABL representatives that kept Filipino basketball fans abuzz as they prepare for the upcoming season, starting with their stint in the Merlion Cup that tips off on September 20.

Bagong laban, bagong #pALABan! ALAB PILIPINAS welcomes new Head Coach JIMMY "The Mighty Mouse" ALAPAG! 🔥🔥🔥 Subaybayan po natin ang ating Facebook Fan Page at facebook.com/AlabPilipinasOfficial because we will be airing his official signing via Facebook Live in the next hour! 🏀🇵🇭🔥 #ALABYAN #AlabNatinTo #AlabPilipinas

A post shared by Alab Pilipinas (@alabpilipinas) on Aug 11, 2017 at 9:01pm PDT

The Gilas legend will take over from Mac Cuan in manning the sidelines, with the former La Salle guard dropping down to the deputy role.

Alab Pilipinas posted an 11-9 card in their inaugural season, a massive improvement from the disappointing MX3 Kings who went nine games worse from the 2015-16 season. And despite being swept by the Singapore Slingers in the playoffs, Bobby Ray Parks overthrew Wong Wei Long as the best local player in Southeast Asia.


Follow him on Twitter: @KevinLEstrada