NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag rules out PBA stint for Russell Westbrook

FILE–Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings smiles during their game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center on March 05, 2026 in Sacramento, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA, Philippines–When NLEX was in search of a replacement import, it coincided with Russell Westbrook announcing his retirement after 18 NBA seasons.

That prompted a hypothetical thought on social media if the Road Warriors could give Westbrook one more go-around and serve as a replacement, given that he and coach Jimmy Alapag were both with the Sacramento Kings last season.

“We might have to offer the tollways to him, [but] it might be too expensive,” Alapag joked, before ultimately shutting down any PBA ideas for Westbrook.

READ: Russell Westbrook retires from NBA after 18 seasons

“Maybe he’ll come to visit, but no stint in the PBA, unfortunately.”

Alapag, however, was grateful for his one-year experience with Westbrook, whose stint with the Kings turned out to be the last stop of his career.

“I’m extremely thankful and honored that I had an opportunity to spend his last season in the NBA together with him,” Alapag said. “I had a chance to learn a lot from one of the game’s all-time greats.

“He actually reached out, when he found out that I took the job here, he reached out and messaged me on Instagram and sent his best wishes and wished the team and I the best of luck.”

Westbrook announced his retirement after an NBA journey highlighted by a number of triple-doubles and a Most Valuable Player award in 2017 while with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He also played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets before joining the Kings for his quiet swansong.

“Knowing that last season in the NBA, getting that quality time with someone like him, not knowing that it was going to be his last season, I have an even deeper appreciation for it,” said Alapag.