Alapag upbeat on Gilas trip; Hontiveros ready for last hurrah

MANILA, Philippines – As the most experienced player in Gilas, comebacking playmaker Jimmy Alapag is convinced that the team's two international trips  for the next two weeks will build the chemistry they need as they prepare for the FIBA Asia men's championships in China next month.

The 37-year-old Alapag knows time is of the essence for a Gilas side that has suffered distractions from the sidelines since its formation early this month, from player withdrawals to injuries to players.

But Gilas will be pushing through with its scheduled trip in Estonia on Monday night where the national team can expect nothing more than tough competitions against national teams from Estonia, Iceland and the Netherlands.

"This (Estonia) trip is a big step forward for our team. It will give us an opportunity to build not only what we’ve been doing the last two weeks, but continue progressing our chemistry and camaraderie," Alapag said after the team's Monday practice at the Moro Lorenzo gym in Ateneo.

"Trips away are always a big help," the one-time PBA MVP added, recalling the experiences he had with Gilas during its European sojourn last year that took them to Lithuania, France and Turkey before plunging into action in the FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain last year.

"We’re going to be exposed for the first time, as a team to a pretty tough competition. And we need that," he added.

"It will give us a great gauge for where we are at this point with roughly five weeks before the FIBA Asia."

After its weeklong trip to Estonia, Gilas will be back in Manila on August 24, but will leave three days later to participate in the William Jones Cup in Chinese Taipei.

On the other hand, Dondon Hontiveros, one of several veteran players serving the national team, considers his stint with Gilas this year as his swan song before eventually calling it quits.

"Malaking bagay para sa akin. Malapit na ako mag-retire, pero nabigyan pa din ng chance na maka-serve, another opportunity na makuha yung goal natin to make it to the Olympics," shared Hontiveros. whose career with the national team began in the 2002 Busan Asian Games as well as the FIBA Asia men's editions in 2007 (Tokushima) and 2011 (Wuhan).

Although the stakes are high and the competition tough, the 37-year-old Cebuano hotshot said Filipino basketball fans can expect this rejigged Gilas team to give its best shot once the FIBA Asia men's tournament in Chansa, Hunan, China commences on September 23.

"Mahirap siya (FIBA Asia), pero you give it your best shot, and hopefully make your country proud, your family," he added.