SEVILLE, Spain – The impending exit of Jimmy Alapag from Gilas Pilipinas worries fellow point guard LA Tenorio.
“We will miss Jimmy. Gilas still needs him,” said Tenorio, concerned over their Asian Games campaign in Incheon, Korea late this month minus their skipper.
“He’s our team captain and his leadership is of a different kind. We will miss that,” Tenorio pointed out.
Sans Alapag, the Ginebra playmaker thought they would somehow become a different team in the Asiad.
Coming in to take over from Alapag in the Incheon Games is 6-foot-4 guard-forward Jared Dillinger.
While Alapag is a legitimate point guard who has been into two FIBA Asia Championship and one Asian Games, Dillinger is more of a wing defender who’s returning to the Gilas fold after tours of duty in the last two FIBA Asia Cups in Tokyo, Japan and Wuhan, China.
“Jimmy will be a big loss especially as Paul Lee doesn’t want to play the point in Gilas. I don’t know why. He wants to play the two-spot,” Tenorio said.
“Sabi nya kaya naman daw nya as he’s proven in the Asia Cup. Sabi ko brod, iba na dito at sa FIBA Asia Championship,” Tenorio also said.
But of course, Gilas coach Chot Reyes would have the last say on that. One thing certain is that Alapag will be out after their Seville journey.
“I’ve spoken to coach, this is my last,” Alapag has said.
“In order for our country to improve and to progress, we have to get the other guys to have the experience and keep the progression of our country going,” he pointed out.
“I wouldn’t change my years as a national player for anything, but it’s time for other guys to take over and take the rein for our team. We need it,” he added.
At 36, Alapag is showing here he’s still at his prime, having his brightest moments so far here Monday versus Argentina.
Even then, Alapag insists he’s ready to give way for the younger guys.
He’s seeing himself playing in the PBA for only two years.