Gilas Pilipinas hero Jimmy Alapag on FIBA World Cup run: 'Hopefully this is just the start'

 

Gilas Pilipinas failed to advance to the round of 16 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, but Jimmy Alapag remains hopeful for the future of the national team after its return to the highest level of international basketball.

 

"It's incredible, especially with the way this tournament has gone. I don't know if anybody really gave us a chance to compete against some of the top 10-15 teams in the world," Alapag told FIBA.com in an interview.

 

"But our country has waited so long to be on this stage," Alapag said. "Hopefully we won’t wait another 40 years."

 

Alapag led the team in their close encounters against Croatia, Greece, Argentina, and Puerto Rico before outlasting Senegal in overtime for their final game, earning the admiration of basketball fans all over the world. The victory over Senegal was the Philippines' first win in the world stage in 40 years.

 

"This was an opportunity to really show the world that we love the game so much and we’re competing," Alapag said.

 

The 37-year-old guard, who played his last game in a Philippine team uniform on Thursday, said he was trying not to get too emotional before the facing Senegal. Alapag had begged off from joining the team in the upcoming Asian Games basketball tournament.

 

"For this to be on the world stage we want to be the example, the inspiration to all those kids back in the Philippines and to let them know that here we are on the world stage," said Alapag.

 

"Hopefully this is just the start." — JST, GMA News/Photo courtesy of FIBA.com