MANILA – Jimmy Alapag remains open to a possible role in Gilas Pilipinas, as he stressed his commitment to helping Philippine basketball in his return.
After six years of working in the NBA in various coaching roles, Alapag is back in the country after having been named the new head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA. He revealed, however, that he was initially tapped by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy to check his availability to help out the Gilas program.
READ: Jimmy Alapag says PH return 'felt like the right time'
"The funny part was that the conversation was first about Gilas. I had a great conversation with Miss Erika [Dy] and she asked if I would be available to help the upcoming FIBA window. Not the current one in New Zealand, but the next one I believe in August," Alapag said in a press conference arranged by VP Global Management on Tuesday.
"I explained to her that I was open to helping pero usually it was a time constraint. Kasi 'pag tapos ng NBA season, diretso sa draft, diretso sa summer league. So parang walang time to come back home and help coach Tim [Cone] and his staff," he added.
Alapag was referring to the second round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in August.
From the initial talks about Gilas, Alapag said the conversation turned into an opportunity to be the new head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors.
Now that he's back in the Philippines, the six-time PBA champion said he will have more time to be able to share his basketball knowledge and experience.
"Obviously, now that I'm back home, if that opportunity is there, I'm always here to help," he said.
While he hasn't had the chance to speak with Gilas head coach Tim Cone just yet, Alapag believes they will find time once the Nationals return from their current tour of duty.
"You know my history with the programs. The Gilas program has been close to my heart. Because we get the opportunity on the national team to represent all of us, everyone here at home and our kababayans abroad, And I understand that opportunity," Alapag shared.
"If there's an opportunity down the road to be on the staff, I'll be open to it. I'm sure we'll have that conversation at a great time," he added.
The Cone-led Gilas squad is holding training camp in New Zealand, which includes tuneup games with two National Basketball League teams.
The Nationals defeated the Franklin Bulls, 94-66, also moving past the Manawatu Jets, 92-61, as part of their preparations for their upcoming FIBA games.
Gilas will first take on New Zealand on Friday at the Spark Arena in Auckland.