Alapag to Beermen

It isn’t just in the player roster that San Miguel Beer has added a major weapon in Terrence Romeo, but also, as it turned out, in the coaching department as well.

Meet SMB assistant coach Jimmy Alapag.

A member of the 40 PBA Greatest Players and MVP in 2011, Alapag was formally introduced as the newest addition to the coaching staff of SMB under head mentor Leo Austria.

“Way back, I liked this person,” said SMB governor Robert Non in Filipino as he introduced the “Mighty Mouse” prior to team practice yesterday at the Acropolis gym in Quezon City.

“Even before the draft, he was already scouted by coach Ron (Jacobs),” said Non. Alapag was eventually selected with the No. 10 overall pick by rival Talk ‘N Text in the 2003 Rookie Draft.

Alapag had a great career with TNT where he won his MVP award. He also played for the Meralco Bolts, and had stints with the national team, leading Gilas Pilipinas to a silver medal finish in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship that earned the country a spot to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

“We’re so happy that we got him now as one of the assistant coaches. I’m sure he’ll be of great help just like the other assistants we have,” said Non of Alapag, currently coach of San Miguel Beer Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

Alapag said he’s grateful for the opportunity to be with SMB as he thanked Non, company president and chief executive office Ramon S. Ang and SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua.

“History speaks for itself for what you guys have already done in the PBA and I’m just here to help in whatever way, shape or form,” said Alapag, who joins fellow MVP Ato Agustin (1992), Peter Martin, Biboy Ravanes, Boysie Zamar, Jorge Gallent and Dayong Mendoza in the SMB coaching staff.

“I’d work with coach Leo in any capacity and the staff. You guys, the players, if you need me I’m here, and the goal every season is to win and that’s what I’m all about,” Alapag.