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Alapag banking on familiarity with NLEX new import

Sports | Basketball

Alapag banking on familiarity with NLEX new import

By Reynald I. Magallon

At A Glance

NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag is banking on his familiarity with his new import Deonte Burton as he hopes for a smooth transition for the team following the sudden change.

NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag is banking on his familiarity with his new import Deonte Burton as he hopes for a smooth transition for the team following the horrible injury of DeQuan Jones.

Burton is set to take the place of Jones who suffered a lower leg fracture in their 118-111 win over TNT Tropang 5G last Tuesday, Aug. 11.

“He'll be making his PBA debut after the break. Looking forward to having him. We spent time together in the G League and with the Kings. So, excited to have him on board,” said Alapag whose team played all-Filipino in the 112-110 loss to Converge.

Alapag also had first-hand experience mentoring Burton, who played for the Stockton Kings in G-League and then later on Sacramento Kings in 2023.

He played a total of 73 games in the NBA in his stints with the Kings and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

More than the resume, however, Alapag is seeing Burton to be a good fit for the Road Warriors, similar to how Jones was a perfect fit to the team that led to their 7-2 record.

“I think he is very comparable [to Jones.] You know, in terms of just, his explosiveness, the power, the physicality. He spent some time in the NBA and we spent time together,” said Alapag.

Good thing for Burton and NLEX, they will have some time to get to know each other as the league won’t be playing games until the first week of October.

“So, hopefully, hopefully, our experience working together in the past, hopefully that makes his transition to the PBA and with NLEX a little smoother than it would be with an import that hasn't played here before. So, excited to have him on board.”

Related Tags

NLEX Road Warriors Jimmy Alapag PBA

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