Gilas assistant coach Jimmy Alapag. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Seven months after announcing his retirement from basketball, Jimmy Alapag looked as if his feet had never left the the parquet floor.
The 37-year-old Alapag has been practicing with Gilas Pilipinas since last week and when he took part in the team’s first official practice which was open to the media Monday night, questions on whether or not the former national team captain would make a comeback hovered.
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He didn’t have a definite answer yet but Alapag said he’s “absolutely” open to returning.
“Pulling this jersey out today and dust it off a little bit, I wasn’t sure if it will ever come back out,” Alapag said who wore a blue jersey with the familiar “Gilas Pilipinas” across his chest.
“To have the opportunity to dust this thing off and put it back on is exciting especially with the talent that is composed of this particular team. Having this jersey has always had special meaning.”
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Alapag may have already retired but he’s still closely associated with basketball. He is the team manager of Talk N’ Text, the only PBA team he’s ever played with, and assistant coach of Gilas and the Gilas Cadets, who won the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore two months ago.
Not being away from the game has also helped Alapag remain in tiptop shape.
“I’ve kept myself in shape. Basketball has been a big part of my life for so long even helping manage Talk ’N Text and helping the Sinag team the past two months, I’ve kept myself in shape and you know it just so happened another opportunity came up.”
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So if he gets called up one more time, Alapag prepared to suit up for the national team.
“If another call of duty serves itself then I’ll be ready.” CFC