Alab Pilipinas sets first home game in Cebu
Full of zest and enthusiasm, the San Miguel Alab Pilipinas gears up for its first home game in the ASEAN Basketball League in this side of the archipelago against the Wolf Warriors of China on January 6 at the Hoopsdome in Lapu-Lapu City.
"I have played so many times here in my career as a player, and the Cebuano fans are uniquely warm and something special. I'm very excited to make my coaching debut here in Cebu ," said Alab Pilipinas head coach Jimmy Alapag during the event's formal launching yesterday at Siknoy Restaurant along Salinas Drive in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
Alapag, a PBA superstar and national team player during his illustrious pro career that spanned for 13 years, was joined by Alab Pilipinas team owner Charlie Sy, former Alab mainstay Dondon Hontiveros, and local promoter Andrew Teh, who is also the team manager of Batang Gilas.
Alab Pilipinas is the defending champion but Alapag readily admitted that they are facing a tougher challenge this time due to some rule changes allowing each team three imports that can play at the same time.
"It really changes the dynamics of the game," said the 40-year-old Alapag, a one-time regular season MVP, two-time Finals MVP, six-time champion, and 11time All-Star in the PBA.
In Alab's case though, Alapag said they are fielding in only two reinforcements in 6-foot-8 Reynaldo Balkman and 7-foot-3 PJ Ramos, both from Puerto Rico, given the plethora of Filipino hardcourt talents.
"We only have two imports because we have a lot of talented players and we must give them the opportunity," said Alapag, referring to the likes of Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Brando Rosser, Thomas Torres, Joshua Urbiztondo, Nico Javelona, John Ray Alabanza, Lawrence Domingo, Prince Rivero, Caelan Tiongson and Cebuano Christopher Sumalinog as back-ups of the twin Puerto Rican towers.
With regards to their title retention bid, Alapag looks forward with high sense of optimism especially that they got off to a flying start anchored on their 94-67 shellacking of Indonesia's CLS Knights just last Sunday at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
"It's good to see they're off to a great start," said Alapag. "33 assists in a 40-minute game shows the potential of our team."
Alab Pilipinas will again take on the CLS Knights this Sunday in Surabaya, Indonesia, then play back-to-back home games against the Formosa Dreamers and Singapore Slingers on December 21 and 23, respectively, before traveling to the Queen City of the South to square off against China's Wolf Warriors on January 6.
Tickets are priced at P300 for the upperbox and P500 for the lowerbox. Ticket outlets are at the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office in front of the city hall, and Global Link Travel & Tours located at the second floor of Capitol Commercial Center beside Cebu Grand Hotel along Escario Street, Cebu City.