Since the Philippines returned to the FIBA World Cup in 2014, there are a handful of players that have made a case to be called the Gilas Pilipinas Greatest of All Time (GOAT).
If one wants to engage in a lengthy debate with a fellow sports fan, talk about any sport’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT).
The NBA has Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The PBA has Ramon Fernandez and June Mar Fajardo.
When it comes to Gilas Pilipinas', the answer seemed pretty simple for former national team coach Chot Reyes.
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“Gilas GOAT?” Reyes said, pausing for a couple of seconds before coming up with an answer.
“For everything he’s done, obviously, it’s hard to overlook what Jimmy Alapag has done. Jimmy Alapag, of course [is the GOAT].”
The choice was not exactly surprising.
Alapag was especially sensational in the 2014 FIBA World Cup where he enthralled fans with his long bombs that gave Gilas a fighting chance against European juggernauts.
The diminutive playmaker averaged 9.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists, but his best game came in the Nationals' 81-85 loss to Argentina where he fired five triples on his way to 15 points.
Good friends Chot Reyes and Tim Cone meet in the recently concluded PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup Finals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Alapag was also among the players current national team chief tactician Tim Cone mentioned when he was asked who he thought was the Gilas Pilipinas GOAT.
Aside from Alapag, Jayson Castro, who claimed the title of Best Point Guard in Asia twice, and Gabe Norwood, a fixture in the national team from 2007 who posterized Argentina’s Luis Scola in the World Cup, was also included in Cone's shortlist.
There is no definitive name yet, though.
“Jeez, I’ve only been with Gilas for a year,” Cone said. “Gee, I don’t know. Through the years? Maybe Gabe Norwood or Jimmy Alapag or Jayson Castro.”
“I think that GOAT’s still to be decided.”
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad, One Sports Digital)