Last hurrah: Jimmy Alapag hopes to bring glory in final tour of duty with Philippine team
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Last hurrah: Jimmy Alapag hopes to bring glory in final tour of duty with Philippine team
Jimmy Alapag’s Philippine basketball career began in earnest when he tried out to become part of the country’s national team to the Asian Games in 2002.
While he failed to make the cut that year because of an injury, the Talk ‘N Text guard has donned the country’s colors in several competitions since, including the FIBA Asia Championship in 2007 and 2011.
Lebanon star Fadi El-Khatib even went so far as calling Alapag the best point guard in Asia during the buildup to the 2007 Asian tournament.
Now 35 years old, Alapag is the oldest player in the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas pool, and he cherishes the opportunity in what could be his last tour of duty with the national squad.
“It’s always been an honor to play for our national team. But this time around, it has a more special meaning for me,” Alapag wrote in a text message to InterAKTV.
Alapag is one of three point guards in contending for a spot in the final 12-man lineup, alongside Talk ‘N Text teammate Jayson Castro and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel sentinel LA Tenorio. While Castro and Tenorio bring youth and athleticism to the team, neither man has the long-range bombing that Alapag possesses.
If he gets the call, Alapag hopes he can help bring glory to the country.
“Knowing this will be my last stint with Gilas and playing on home soil is a very special opportunity not just for me, but the entire team,” added Alapag.
“I just hope to make our country proud in August.”
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