'Para sa bayan': Jimmy Alapag defers Gilas retirement to play for Philippines in Asian Games

Gilas Pilipinas team captain Jimmy Alapag finally caved in to the pressure from supporters and announced on Twitter that he will be playing for the national team in the upcoming Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

 

 

Alapag announced his retirement from international basketball ahead of the Asian Games, but changed his decision shortly after speaking with coach Chot Reyes.

 

Head coach Chot Reyes also posted a tweet on Thursday night, confirming that the Mighty Mouse will play for the team in the Asian Games.

 

Alapag, who is turning 37 this year, looked ready to pass the torch to younger players who would make up the future of the team. His spot for the Asian Games was originally taken by Jared Dillinger.

The former PBA Most Valuable Player, however, faced a lot of pressure to continue to play following his spectacular performance that carried the team in the FIBA World Cup, where the Philippines won on the international basketball stage for the first time in 40 years.

It is unclear, however, who Reyes would cut from the lineup to accommodate Alapag.

But the development comes as a bit of happy news for fans of Gilas, which will have to play in the Asian Games without top center Andray Blatche, who was disqualified from playing by Games organizers. — JST, GMA News