PBA: Jimmy Alapag looks forward to coaching battle vs. former mentor Chot Reyes, good pal LA Tenorio

Newly appointed NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag will find himself on the opposite sideline from two of the people who helped shape his basketball journey.

Six years after relocating to the United States with his family, Alapag returns to the Philippines to begin his PBA head coaching career, one that will see him go up against former mentor Chot Reyes and longtime friend LA Tenorio.

"It’s great to be back, medyo matagal na. It’s almost been six years and so to be back at home, it’s a special time for me. [I'm] thankful for this opportunity with NLEX," Alapag said during a press conference on Tuesday.

Alapag's ties with Reyes run deep.

Widely regarded as one of the PBA's greatest point guards, Alapag won six championships with TNT, four of them under Reyes.

Together, they led the franchise to the 2009 Philippine Cup, 2011 Philippine Cup, 2011 Commissioner's Cup, and 2012 Philippine Cup titles.

Alapag also captured his first PBA championship in 2003 when TNT defeated Reyes' Coca-Cola squad in the Philippine Cup.

His final PBA title came in 2013, when he teamed up with head coach Norman Black, Ranidel de Ocampo, Harvey Carey, and Jayson Castro to lead TNT to the Philippine Cup crown against Rain or Shine.

But Alapag said his focus is not on outdueling his former mentor, but on helping NLEX make a deeper run in the upcoming Governors' Cup.

"That will be fun, obviously. So many memories there. So many championships we’ve won together," Alapag said.

"There’s always a sentimental element to it because of the history but my focus now is helping NLEX so I’m gonna do my job."

Another interesting storyline in Alapag's return is his coaching matchup with longtime friend Tenorio.

During their playing days, Alapag and Tenorio developed one of the league's guard rivalries, regularly squaring off in high-stakes playoff battles.

They later turned that rivalry into a successful partnership with the national team, helping the Philippines win the silver medal at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship in Manila.

Now, they come full circle as opposing head coaches, with Tenorio entering his third conference at the helm of Magnolia.

"LA and I have so much history. We’ve had so many experience competing against each other, fighting for the country together, and our relationship has really grown," Alapag said.

"I’m not surprised that he’s now a head coach. I think having someone like LA here to mentor the next generation, it’s great for the game. He was the first ones to reach out and say congrats."

—JKC, GMA News