Alapag es una locura! Jimmy takes Argentina by storm

by Ardelle Costuna

Jimmy Alapag and Luis Scola. (Twitter and Youtube/FIBA)

 

Gilas Pilipinas’ past three games against taller and more experienced foes in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain may have ended with Filipinos mending their broken hearts, but that doesn’t mean that they have lost any fans. In fact, they have earned more admirers since the start of the tournament.

 

@MikePradaSBN For real. They’re a hell of a team. This game made my morning. — Bradley S. Cristler (@mistercristler) September 1, 2014

Phillipines plays with more heart and relentlessness than any other team in the FIBA World Cup. Trailing Argentina 79-76 in 4th qtr. — MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) September 1, 2014

 

The whole Gilas team indeed deserves all the praise they continuously receive, but if there is one player that gave Argentina a good fight during their match up, it was team captain Jimmy Alapag, who reminded us why he is affectionately called the Philippine Basketball Association’s “Mighty Mouse.”

 

Jimmy Alapag. Smallest player in the tournament. Biggest heart. — Jaemark Tordecilla (@FireQuinito) September 1, 2014

Jimmy Alapag, Patron Saint of Long Threes — JC Ansis (@jcansis) September 1, 2014

 

But more than just electrifying our own hearts, the Talk n’ Text point guard also gave the Argentine crowd its own shares of jitters, frustrations, and respect after a thrilling game that ended 85-81.

Just see some of their reactions, along with translations:

 

Ganó Arg con el trasero a 2 manos.Pero ganó.Ahora Filipinas de Alapag y De Ocampa se ganaron mi respeto.Y mi preocupación #mundobasket2014 — Luis Vega Ramos (@luisvegaramos) September 1, 2014

(Argentina wins by 2 points. The Filipinos, Alapag and de Ocampo, have gained my respect. And my worry.)

 

 

Alapag es muy bueno, pese a la edad. Y es una pena que Castro no esté a tope… RT @davidpcamarena y que uno de ellos tiene casi 38 tacos — Pablo Malo de Molina (@MalodeMolinaACB) September 1, 2014

(Alapag is good despite the age. And it’s such a pity that Castro wasn’t at his best.)

   

Alapag es una locura — Agu. (@AguAbdon) September 1, 2014 

(Alapag is crazy.)

 

 

Lo cruzo al filipino Alapag y le parto un palo en la cabeza. Que manera de meterla enano culia! Vamos Argentina!!! — Hernán Laurino (@cholito82) September 1, 2014

(I’ll slap Alapag and break a stick on his head.)

 

 

Alapag a la NBA #Filipinas

— Diego Balsas (@DiegoBalsasMBBC) September 1, 2014

(No translation needed.)

 

 

@jpablobece @s9rgio ALAPAG MVP!! Y QUE VIVA FILIPINAS!!! :’) GILAS! GILAS!

— Jose L. Rguez-Mera (@joselurr) September 1, 2014

(This guy is actually a Spanish, but you totally get what he says — no translation needed.)

 

With two remaining games in the group stage, Gilas has to win both in order to advance to the round of 16. But win or lose, they’ve put on a performance that will be remembered for a long, long time.

 

With translations by Andrea Ferrer.