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Childhood dreams, we all have them, rock star, actor, sportsman. What was, or is, your dream?

Interviewing Coach Jimmy Alapag, in the Introduction to Journalism class of Ricky Olivares, you could sense his passion for basketball, and the obvious dream from his childhood to play professionally. He has exceeded that, served his country, and is now head coach for San Miguel Alab Pilipinas of the ASEAN Basketball League.

“The Mighty Mouse”, a nickname for the speedy 5’9” player, did not dream in any fantasy way, he set out to achieve, and through hard work and dedication, he did not just make his dreams come true. But seeing the Philippines win its first World Cup game in over 40 Years, as a team member, he made many Filipinos dream come true. Yet he is still dreaming of what the Philippines may yet achieve.

The Filipino diaspora has seen Filipinos transplanted to live in many nations and cultures. When you meet the young people of this diaspora, many have learnt the culture of their parents, and a love of basketball, the Philippines national sport. Coach Alapag is an “idol” to many of these young people. They know he grew up in the USA and yet working as team Philippines, he and teammates saw the national sport climb a mountain and plant a flag for the next generation. He inspires them, but he also challenges them.

Getting to interview the great Coach, it was obvious he has a message for those youngsters of Filipino heritage wherever they may be in the world.

Asked about his journey to the Philippines he replies, “You take me back twenty years ago when it all started, the world was just so different back then, coming to Manila in 2002-3, I was a kid who graduated from college and you know, I did not have very much money and I had come from a tight knit family and I grew up in the States. My parents migrated to the States before I was born and so it was a big adjustment in terms of not being very familiar with the surrounding, but what I did do was research, not just about the country, but about the league. I did my homework on the league and the bar in terms of being successful in the league and that was a big help.”

His hard work and positive attitude as a player have a lot to teach us all, but it is when he talks about the transition to Coach that he points to a key that is vital if the Philippines is going to shift up a gear in the basketball world. “The challenge for the staff and I, before you talk about the basketball stuff, is establishing the relationship with the guys and getting to know them on a personal level. Once you change that dynamic, of getting to know them, that I am their Coach, that I am married with three kids, getting to know where they are from, kahit galing sa Philippines, or abroad, and helping them to understand that, at the end of the day, we are all here fighting for the same thing. We all have Filipino in our blood, we are all battling for the same thing, and the most important thing is for them to just respect that. Kahit dito or abroad, everyone has their struggles, everyone has their hardships to deal with, but it led them to this opportunity and if they can respect that, and open up their hearts to learn and get to know their team mates, then the basketball stuff becomes easy. Kasi, we are here, we are willing to work hard to represent the country and do the best we can and ultimately to win. That is always the approach I take every season, and you know, just making sure before we talk basketball stuff, just to have dinner with them or sit down and talk to them. So, I can get to know them on a personal level before the basketball stuff.”

Many young Filipinos want to follow in his footsteps, whether they are in the Philippines or abroad, respecting that they all have Filipino blood in their veins is wanting what is best for the nation.

His message for Filipinos abroad who dream of playing professional basketball in the Philippines, is simply this. “I would just encourage the young players there to, in terms of getting noticed, don’t be afraid to reach out, to the PBA teams, to the college Coaches here and just open communication. I think again, with twenty year until now with social media, internet and communication is so much easier than it was a long time ago. I would encourage them, if they are having a difficult time getting noticed, don’t be afraid to put a game tape together, and send it out to the Coaches that are here.”

It will take hard work for the Philippines to progress further, and he is not wearing rose tinted glasses as he looks to the future. “As we progress as a country, the world is doing the same. So, it is important for us to keep getting better, because when you play at that level you are playing against the best teams in the world. So, it takes your absolute best individually, and more importantly, as a team. Anything less than that and it could be trouble against that level of competition.”

If you want to play for the Philippines, whether you are based in the Philippine or abroad. You need to know one thing. Blood is thicker than water, and if you have Filipino blood, then you need to support your kababayan and play as one team.

When asked about the next generation, he thoughtfully adds. “I think it will be important for the next generation to find that chemistry and camaraderie that was so important for our team back in 2013-14, because the relationship we built, was so much deeper than just the game of basketball. It really meant so much more. When you are able to create that type of environment, on and off the court, you know you are going to give yourself a chance because you look at the talent that is around, the sky is the limit for the national program.”

The flag he and his teammates planted in the FIBA World Cup; his dream now is to see the next generation of Filipinos, not just to reach that flag, but as a team and a nation, reaching, grasp it, and take it to greater heights. Coach Jimmy is not just dreaming, he is working hard, building a team and making dreams realities.