LEBANESE basketball icon Fadi El-Khatib has named Gilas Pilipinas great Jimmy Alapag as the best point guard in Asia during their era.
El-Khatib made the assessment while looking back at the quality of competition on the FIBA Asia stage, where Alapag went up against some of the region’s top guards.
“To me, the best point guard in Asia is Jimmy Alapag,” El-Khatib said.
레바논 농구의 불멸의 아이콘인 파디 엘 카팁은 '마이티 마우스' 지미 알라팍을 극찬하며 "나에게 아시아 최고의 포인트 가드는 지미 알라팍이다"라고 언급한 바 있습니다. 당시 FIBA 아시아 무대가 양동근 선수와 중국 류웨이 선수의 전성기 시대였다는 점을 감안하면 이는 대단한 찬사입니다. https://t.co/w31B4DUFno pic.twitter.com/2r2IW6xmNo
— 아라쿤 (@Heoball2) September 3, 2026
The compliment carries added weight given the competition Alapag faced during his international career, including standout players such as South Korea’s Yang Dong-geun and China’s Liu Wei.
Alapag established himself as one of the Philippines’ premier guards, known for his leadership, playmaking and outside shooting.
The current NLEX Road Warriors head coach was also a key figure for the national team during one of its most competitive periods in Asian basketball.
El-Khatib, meanwhile, was one of Lebanon’s most celebrated players and a longtime fixture in Asian basketball.
The recognition from the Lebanese star adds to Alapag’s standing as one of the Philippines’ most accomplished point guards and underscores the respect he earned from players across Asia. (Adrian Co)
