Alapag open to be part of Gilas coaching staff

INCHEON, South Korea – Jimmy Alapag is keeping his door open to return to the Gilas Pilipinas program next year.

Alapag earlier announced that the Asian Games would be his last tournament for the Philippine national team. But the 36-year-old national team captain is more than willing to return to Gilas – no longer as a player but as part of the coaching staff.

"I do want to be involved. Again, there's nothing like getting a chance to represent the country in the international or world stage. I think I have a lot of wisdom and experience in the last 12 years or so to really impact the next generation of guys and just really make them understand what it really means to wear that Gilas Pilipinas jersey,” said Alapag before flying back to the country on Thursday.

“Because it really means something. I just hope they'll understand that and will be willing to put their heart and soul out there on the court because you're playing for all the Filipinos back home and mga kababayan natin around the world."

"I'm very, very excited of what lies ahead for Phl basketball because I see the type of talent that we have from UAAP, NCAA to the younger players in the PBA. I'm just excited to be part of the next chapter for Gilas, just maybe in different capacity," he added.

Though it's still up in the air as to what will happen to the team, the coaching staff and the program, Alapag has already made known his intention to help the national team beyond his playing years.

"I've spoken to coach (Chot Reyes). I don't think to have a title isn't necessary just yet. We'll cross the bridge next July or August in preparation for the FIBA Asia 2015, the qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics," Alapag added.

Despite the disappointing finish to his international career, Alapag does not have any regrets.

He cried at the buzzer when they lost to Korea despite his best game of the tournament, in which he exploded for 25 big points. He also turned emotional at the buzzer after watching the team from the bench (due to injury) salvage the seventh place – the worst finish by the country in the Asian Games history – with an 84-68 win over Mongolia.

In the locker room, he gave the team an emotional speech before they parted ways, ending a roller-coaster journey in the past two years.

"This opportunity that we have, we got to do what we love every day, playing basketball. I just told them to enjoy every minute, every second because it goes by fast. I'm a clear example of how time flies fast," Alapag said.

The California-bred Alapag has gone a long way since first setting foot in the Philippines in 2002 by invitation of then national team coach Ron Jacobs. The rest is history.

"One minute it's 2002 and I'm playing for Selecta, I got hurt and cut and fast forward to 2012, I'm playing in Seville (Spain) and bringing home the country's first win [in the World Cup] in 40 years," Alapag said.

"The journey just goes fast. So i just encouraged them to be proud to represent the country because it does mean more than just the basketball itself. It goes much deeper because of the love and passion we have for the game," he added.

After helping the country restore the country's pride in basketball, Alapag is hoping he can teach and rub off his leadership and his all heart play to the next generation of Gilas players.