Alapag sees Gilas loss to Korea as learning opportunity for FIBA world qualifiers
MANILA, Philippines — Jimmy Alapag believes that Gilas Pilipinas’ painful loss to South Korea on Thursday is a springboard for the bigger battle looming on the horizon.
“You know, this is all preparation for us leading to November in the first leg of the World Cup qualifiers,” he offered during the sendoff for the Southeast Games’ contingent on Thursday.
Having been the spearhead of the Philippine team that neutralized the Koreans for a ticket to the 2014 World Cup, Alapag is one of the few people who could actually whip out hot takes on Gilas’ latest outing.
“I don’t think we played as sharp as we would’ve wanted to and as sharp as we needed to,” he offered. “It’s always tough. Every time you play Korea, there’s a little bit more because of the rivalry. It goes back for many years now. And again, it was tough."
The Philippines looked like they could post a run against their longtime tormentors in the quarterfinals in Beirut, Lebanon last night. Until the Koreans began hitting their treys. Again. And again. And again.
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“You know, this is all preparation for us leading to November in the first leg of the World Cup qualifiers,” he offered during the sendoff for the Southeast Games’ contingent on Thursday.
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| Jimmy Alapag in Gilas Pilipinas uniform against Korea during the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship held here | Philippine Star File Photo |
“I don’t think we played as sharp as we would’ve wanted to and as sharp as we needed to,” he offered. “It’s always tough. Every time you play Korea, there’s a little bit more because of the rivalry. It goes back for many years now. And again, it was tough."
The Philippines looked like they could post a run against their longtime tormentors in the quarterfinals in Beirut, Lebanon last night. Until the Koreans began hitting their treys. Again. And again. And again.
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