Gilas notes: Alapag, Norwood on next opponents, team camaraderie

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas team captain Jimmy Alapag is not worried about who they will face in the knockout stages of the 27th FIBA Asia championships after their impressive 90-71 victory against Japan Monday night.

The diminutive point guard believes it won't matter which team they will go up against in the crucial stretch of the tournament as long as they play their best game.

The tournament stakes three spots in the 2014 FIBA World Championships, and Gilas Pilipinas is raring to seize one.

"It doesn't matter who we face. What's important for us if we play our best basketball and we continue to improve our game. We still have to two games in the second round so hopefully, we can build upon those games," said Alapag.

Alapag is all praises for the home crowd and thinks they have been a big advantage against their opponents.

"It’s amazing, something really special. The support that we have here at home, we get a full house every single night. They come out to cheer and support and it means a lot to us," said the 35-year old Alapag.

"It makes us work harder, give our best and leave our heart and soul inside the basketball court and make everybody proud," he added.

Gabe Norwood, another Gilas stalwart, is confident that if they can all click together especially their shooters, they will be a difficult squad to deal with.

"That's the thing with shooters. Sometimes that's all they need to see, the ball going to the basket. Hopefully this is something Gary can build on," Norwood said after an uplifting endgame where the struggling Gary David had a short scoring spurt to the delight of the raucous hometown crowd.

"If we can have Larry (Fonacier), Jeff (Chan) and Gary hitting shots, we will be a very, very tough team to beat," he added.

The team’s camaraderie is becoming apparent, especially with how players kept looking for David on the court. At one point, Alapag drove for an open layup, only to dish off to David who scores inside.

"There is a lot of heart in that locker room. We have a very special group of guys and we will be fighting will all our heart every game," said Alapag.