MANILA, Philippines — Former national team players Jimmy Alapag and Sam Daghles had many battles on the court throughout their decorated international playing careers.
Both have been retired for several years now but their experiences playing against each other helped turn their rivalry into a brotherhood that has remained the same since.
On Tuesday, Alapag posted a photo of him and his good pal reconnecting in the United States.
“It’s not just the wins and losses in this game, but the relationships you build thru the years. Great catching up with my brother @13samd today. Your success inspires me to keep going. #Jordan #Philippines #Coaches #Family #Basketball #NBAGLeague #BiggerThanBasketball,” Alapag, who, along with his family had moved to the US for good last September, said on Instagram.
Daghles, the Jordanian basketball legend, shared the post, writing “Always great seeing my brother.”
The two guards nearly became teammates at Talk ’N Text when Daghles was tapped to be TNT’s Asian import for the 2015 Governors’ Cup just months after Alapag retired briefly from the PBA.
After a celebrated playing career, Alapag and Daghles also went on to pursue coaching.
Alapag, 43, won two gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games and a silver medal in the Fiba Asia Championship as assistant coach for the Philippine team. As head coach, Alapag steered Alab Pilipinas to the Asean Basketball Championship in 2018.
The 41-year-old Daghles coached the Jordanian national team from 2016 to 2018. He is currently an assistant coach for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Houston Rockets’ G League affiliate.