PBA: Jimmy Alapag hopes for better NLEX-Changwon friendship after tune-up tension goes viral

NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag said that it was unfortunate that the commotion between his player Enoch Valdez and Changwon's Archie Goodwin was highlighted more by the South Korean media during their tune-up game. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG—NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag broke his silence regarding a recent tune-up game against 2025 KBL champion Changwon that went viral for the wrong reason.

Clips of the game that were shared on social media and even on South Korean news programs last month showed the new Saker signing Archie Goodwin and Road Warrior Enoch Valdez pulling each other's practice jerseys and appearing ready to go at it before cooler heads separated the two.

"That was nothing. It was two championship-caliber teams competing, and it's unfortunate that the only thing that was posted was some pushing and shoving," Alapag said right after the production of The Hoop Collective podcast wrapped up at Shoot 360 Galleria on Monday.

The former Sacramento Kings player development coach guested in a special edition of the podcast hosted by veteran NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Tim McMahon as part of the promotion of the NBA on ESPN broadcast on Disney+.

As order was restored, Changwon and NLEX continued their tune-up game with the former prevailing, 116-89.

"I hope that everybody understands that we finished the game with no other instances like (the commotion). We're able to finish the game and look forward to hopefully building a relationship with LG going forward as we help each other for our respective seasons," Alapag further said, adding that he is open to another friendly between the two teams.

Both the Road Warriors and Sakers agreed to hold a tune-up as the PBA was on a lengthy break to give way to Gilas Pilipinas' campaigns in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and Asian Games while the KBL was still in its offseason phase.

The KBL already began its regular season, and Changwon issued a huge statement to the team that dethroned them as champion, Busan, right in the opening game on Saturday with a 103-68 blowout behind 25 points from Goodwin, 22 more from Yang Hong-Seok, a near triple-double from Assem Marei, and efficient scoring from Carl Tamayo with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting.

Meanwhile, the PBA will finally resume action on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila with NLEX battling a Macau lineup that lost key players after they signed with EASL-bound squads.

Deonte Burton makes his debut for the Road Warriors as the alternate for the injured DeQuan Jones.