One for the road: Alapag changes mind, joins Gilas for Asian Games

Gilas captain Jimmy Alapag will be donning the Philippines’ colors one last time.

After the Gilas captain announced that the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain would be his final international tournament, head coach Chot Reyes asked Alapag to reconsider and help out in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Late Thursday afternoon, Reyes tweeted Alapag’s two-word answer.

Just finished mtg w Jimmy Alamat, er @JAlapag3 . 2 words – "I'm in." pic.twitter.com/2lbRc2AEuc

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) September 11, 2014

Aside from naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche, it was the pint-size point guard who starred for Gilas in Spain. He almost single-handedly shot the Philippines back into the game against Argentina as he connected with five triples in the second half.

One more time… #ImIn #ParaSaBayan #GilasPilipinas #AsianGames2014

— Jimmy Alapag (@JAlapag3) September 11, 2014

In their only win against Senegal, Alapag was a steady presence down the stretch as his free throws made sure that Gilas would not go home empty handed.

The 36-year-old Alapag averaged 9.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in the FIBA World Cup. He had his best scoring night in their last game against Senegal with 18 points.

Aside from Alapag, who will be taking the place of the injured Jayson Castro, another former Gilas mainstay is rejoining the team. Marcus Douthit is set to take the spot of Andray Blatche after the Olympic Council of Asia turned down the last-minute appeal of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to reconsider Blatche’s inclusion. Reyes also announced this development via Twitter.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas also ended the boycott issue for Gilas as Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan tweeted that the Philippines will send an entry to the Incheon Asian Games.