Decorated playmaker Jimmy Alapag expressed his all-out support to Gilas Pilipinas as it makes a homestand in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Alapag, a former Gilas skipper, wished coach Chot Reyes and the national squad, including veterans Japeth Aguilar and June Mar Fajardo, the best of luck before they march into battle against the Dominican Republic on Friday night.
Alapag firmly believes that the Jordan Clarkson-led Gilas would give everything they have to not disappoint the roaring crowd that trooped the massive 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
“All my prayers and well wishes for the Gilas team,” Alapag, now the player development coach of the Sacramento Kings in the National Basketball Association, said via Facebook Messenger.
“Wish I could be there in person, too.”
Alapag reminded Gilas to enjoy the moment of playing the biggest stage in men’s basketball on home soil — the first since the country hosted the World Cup back in 1978.
“Nothing like playing against the best in the world at home!” he said.
Together with Fajardo and Aguilar, Alapag donned the Gilas jersey in the 2014 edition of the World Cup in Spain.
Gilas then ended a 36-year wait for a World Cup ticket and they did not disappoint.
Although stacked against incredible odds, the Filipinos pulled off a victory over Senegal in overtime, 81-79, which would be the lone win of Gilas in their campaign. They finished that edition at 21st spot out of 24 nations.
Alapag’s exploits for the national team was something to remember as he averaged 9.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while providing solid leadership inside and outside the court.
Alapag had 14 points in the group phase against Luis Scola and Argentina, which the Philippines narrowly lost, 85-81, and reserved his best later for Senegal and Gorgui Dieng with an 18-point performance for the country’s first World Cup triumph in four decades.
While Alapag achieved greater heights in his pro playing career that most of his peers could only dream of scaling, he could be best remembered for his role for Gilas in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship semifinal at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Before a screaming and weeping hometown crowd, Alapag scored 14 points, including four three-point shots, as the Philippines brought down South Korea 86-79 to clinch a spot to the FIBA World Cup the following year.
