Gilas Pilipinas captain Jimmy Alapag happy to finally end ‘South Korean curse’ Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Sunday, August 11, 2013 · 12:08 am The Philippine national men’s basketball team has a long history of heartbreak involving its rivals from South Korea. On Saturday night, Gilas Pilipinas finally ended the “South Korean curse” with a victory in the semifinals of the FIBA Asia Championship. “Words can’t describe how we’re feeling right now. They beat us many times in international basketball, the tough losses,” said Gilas captain Jimmy Alapag. It was the first victory for the Philippine team against a South Korean squad in a top-level Asian competition since 1986. Alapag himself was part of the team that lost to South Korea in the bronze medal match in the 2011 edition of the tournament. Fittingly, Alapag hit the three-pointer that served as a dagger in the dying seconds of Saturday’s victory. “This is for our country. We’ve been fighting and fighting and fighting to get back to the level of top Asian basketball.” Alapag, who hinted that this might be his last stint in the FIBA Asia Championship, was ecstatic to finally break through, as the Philippines booked a seat in next year’s FIBA World Cup. “Absolutely, this is the sweetest for me. I’ve been here three times. I’ll always do my best, leave my heart and soul.” interaksyon/interaktv/gilas-pilipinas-captain-jimmy-alapag-happy-to-finally-end-south-korean-curse _maw_
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 00:31:38 +0000
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