MANILA, Philippines -- Former Gilas Pilipinas captain Jimmy Alapag stayed close to home when asked to name his "all-time" starting five from FIBA Asia.
In a wide-ranging interview on FIBA Asia's Instagram account, Alapag named three Filipinos to his all-time team -- June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, and Jayson Castro.
He added Jordan's Sam Daghles and Lebanon's Fadi El Khatib to the roster as well.
"I gotta go with June Mar Fajardo, even though we didn't play too long together on the national team. He'd be my center," said Alapag, who selected the "Kraken" over other star centers including Iran's iconic Hamed Haddadi.
"My guards, I'd go with Jayson and Sam," he added.
Castro has been a star for the Philippines in the international scene, and was named to the all-tournament team in the 2013 and 2015 FIBA Asia Championships.
Daghles, meanwhile, was a standout for Jordan who gave the Philippines fits whenever they competed. Alapag recalled how the 6-foot-6 guard would bully the smaller Filipino backcourt, particularly in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship.
"When we played Jordan in 2011, we played them in a big game right in the semi-finals for a spot in the finals," said Alapag. "Again, that was prime Sam Daghles during that tournament, and he just came out and played really well against us."
"He made all the big plays down the stretch and really gave us a lot of problems with his post-ups, especially in the high post. I'm sure he remembers that, and he ended up leading Jordan to the championship game that year," he added.
Daghles and Jordan bowed to China in a nailbiter, 70-69, in the gold medal game. The Philippines, meanwhile, lost to bitter rivals South Korea in the bronze medal match, 70-68. Daghles made it to the all-tournament team that year.
"And then, for my wing guys… Fadi El Khatib from Lebanon, and I'll go with my guy Gabe Norwood," said Alapag.
El Khatib was a star for Lebanon in the early 2000s, helping them reach the finals of the 2001, 2005, and 2007 FIBA Asia Championships.
"With those guys, a lot of ball screens for Jayson and Sam, some post-up opportunities for June Mar, and someone like Fadi, you can put him up anywhere," Alapag said of his all-time team.
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Jimmy Alapag, Gilas Pilipinas, FIBA Asia, June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, Jayson Castro