NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag felt like a kid, all giddy and excited, coming back home after a great first day of school.

It was a promising start for the first-year mentor after the Road Warriors gave guest team Macau a 39-point whipping to begin their campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup last Friday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

“It’s almost like going home after your first day of school,” said Alapag after NLEX’s 114-75 blowout victory in Group A.

“You had a good first day, but you know, malayo pa (still a long way to go), still a lot of work to be done,” added Alapag.

The Road Warriors outscored the Giant Pandas 69-39 in the second half, paving the way for the rout.

Despite being with the team for less than two weeks since taking the reins from former mentor Jong Uichico, Alapag has already integrated his system into the squad.

In fact, NLEX looked like a well-oiled machine and played selfish basketball, which saw five players scoring in double figures.

“But like I’ve said, I’ve been here nine, 10 days, really happy with the group. I think I just love their competitive spirit and their selflessness,” said the former Sacramento Kings player development coach.

“You know, we had 30 assists, you know, and to have that many assists in your first game, I think that’s just a foundation that we can build on going forward,” added Alapag, who retired in 2016 and worked in the National Basketball Association for six years.

The six-time PBA champion and member of the league’s 50 Greatest Players’ homecoming also marked a historic milestone for the franchise.

Alapag just steered the Road Warriors to the club’s biggest winning margin since joining the league in 2014.

“Oh, I didn’t know that. But it’s always great to get the first win. But like I said, you know, and that’s what I told the group, we’re going to be, you know, this conference is extended further than usual for an import-laden conference,” he said.

“So, our ability to continue to work, continue to build, and I think most importantly, just continue to grow, you know, them as players and even myself as a coach together with our staff,” he added.