Jimmy Alapag grew up in the US, but never lost sight of his Filipino roots. As he grew older, he felt more and more drawn to coming back and trying his luck as a player.
"I had heard a lot about the PBA, especially when I got to high school," Alapag begins. "As I continued to play in college, it became more of an option for me to come out here and my parents told me all the time ‘Haven’t you thought about going to play in the PBA?’ Then I spoke to some people about coming here, and I thought I’d give it a try, and it’s been a blessing ever since."
He’s been Rookie of the Year and an All-Star Game MVP. But not too many know that he spent quite a while literally homeless and carless, albeit never friendless.
"Luckily, when I came here, I was with the national pool in 2002," the Talk ‘N Text point guard recalls. "A lot of the veteran guys who were on that team really looked out for me. ŒCause I really didn’t know my way around, didn’t know anybody. They really welcomed me with open arms."
It took months before Alapag could formally join the team, because of an unexpected delay in the processing of his papers with the Department of Justice. Finally, he got his chance, a starting role at that, in a game against Purefoods in Bataan.
"There have been some pretty low points in my life, but that was tough," Alapag admits. "Considering everything that had happened up to that point. I was so excited getting an opportunity to play. Here I was, Coach Jong (Uichico, then head coach of the RP team) was giving me a start. I’ll never forget that. I’d been waiting three or four months, and finally, got to be out there with the guys. And five minutes into the game, I break my hand. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. But then, that experience taught me a lot about myself."
Given that he was all alone, "Mighty Mouse" was able to keep on working largely because of a barrage of long-distance calls to and from his parents in the US.
"I had a lot of support. I spoke to my family back home all the time," he elaborates. "They were positive about everything all the time, telling me to just stick with it, and things would find a way to work themselves out."
And soon, the hard work began to pay off. These days, Alapag is getting a second chance at being on the Philippine team, and keeping Talk ’N Text in contention for a PBA title. He looks back at the rewards of all his hard work, and readily affirms that it was worth it.
"Oh, without a doubt," he says without thinking. "Every day I step onto the court, every day at practice is a blessing. It’s an honor for me to be here. I’ve been fortunate to play in two finals in my first four conferences here. And each time, my parents have been here to watch the finals. That meant more to me than anything. I can look into the stands and see them smiling and know that they’re proud of their son. Just to see how happy they were, it meant a lot."
Meanwhile, Alaska Aces guard Jeff Cariaso also took a circuitous route to stardom. The Jet first came here to play with the Atlanta All-Stars, a group of second-generation Filipinos from the United States. He soon found himself playing college ball here, then played for some defunct teams in the Philippine Basketball League before breaking into the PBA.
For Cariaso, it’s always about personhood and family. He loves the Seattle Supersonics’ Ray Allen "because I like that he’s not just a great player on the court, but he’s known to be a great guy off the court." His favorite food (sinigang) is a liking he shares with his daughter, his favorite song ("On the Wings of Love") carries memories he shares with his wife; the places he dreams of going to (in Europe), he dreams of visiting with his family. Even his alternative career (teaching) involves children.
"If I’m not on the court, I’m with my family," Cariaso explains. "Those are the two things that take up most of my time. Playing basketball makes me happy, but spending time with my wife and my kids is something I can’t compare anything else to. If I see them hurt, or I see them sad, if I see them disappointed, that makes me sad. I’m all out for my family. I’ll do anything for them, any time, anywhere."
Even when asked questions that are normally answered with material possessions, he heads in a different direction.
"My most prized possession would have to be my relationship with my family," the Alaska Aces guard continues. "It’s something that’s not perfect, and I admit that, but it’s something that you have to work on. I love the ups and downs. It’s an adventure every day. My biggest frustration is the fact that my Mom passed away before I got married, so my Mom never got to meet my wife and my kids."
But, wherever they are, Jimmy’s and Jeff’s mothers are definitely beaming this Mother’s Day.