Alapag wary of Asi-bolstered Express

MANILA, Philippines - In 2003, Jimmy Alapag was just a rookie starting to carve out his name in the PBA while Asi Taulava was Talk n Text's face of the franchise.

"I won my first championship with Asi. It was his MVP season and it was my Rookie of the Year. He's always been a big brother to me and he still is," Alapag told a couple of reporters after Talk n Text's humiliating 122-88 loss to rival Petron Blaze Boosters.

Ten years later, Alapag has assumed Taulava's old role being the Talk n Text's heart and soul.

Taulava, on the other hand, went through a lot of transformations even jumping leagues in a colorful career that maybe finally down to its final stretch.

And the script couldn't have been written better as Taulava marks his return to the league against his former team.

Air21 snagged him in a four-player trade with Meralco that was completed last weekend bolstering the stocks of the strugglig Express.

Tomorrow (Friday) night, Alapag and Taulava will share the same court again not as teammates but as rivals.

While Talk n Text has lost two straight, Air21 is in a much tougher stretch losing four consecutive games.

The Express are hoping to catch the last trip to the playoffs with Taulava around.

Alapag knows what can his former teammate and big brother bring to the Express.

"And obviously him moving to Air21 gives them a huge lift not just skill-wise and presence but emotionally," Alapag said.

With Taulava coming off an MVP season in the Asean Basketball League revitalizing the 40-year old big man, Alapag is wary of the Express.

"Asi's energy and his huge personality has got a big effect on Air21 and they got a tough import in Zach Graham so again we just have to find a way to regroup, refocus and be ready tomorrow," Alapag said.