Lots of great players to choose from here.
The point guard position has always been one of the strengths of any Philippine national team. That was true decades ago when floor generals like Hector Calma, Johnny Abarrientos, and Olsen Racela used to run the show. That has been the case now with the Gilas program, whose playmakers at the 1 have mostly been solid to sensational.
With that being said, we have chosen whom we think are the top five Gilas point guards so far—and we have even ranked them from good to the very best.
Honorable mention: Chris Tiu, the OG Gilas starting point guard
5. Robert Bolick
Bolick, along with Cjay Perez, was a bright spot of that ill-fated 2019 World Cup team that finished last. And, at times, he and Perez looked like Gilas’ best two players outside Andray Blatche—slashing to the basket, hitting threes, and just flat-out going for broke.
4. LA Tenorio
Tinyente largely played behind Jayson Castro and Jimmy Alapag, but he more than made his minutes count. And his heroics in the 2012 Jones Cup remain one of gutsiest in Gilas history, as his game-winner against Team USA gave the Philippines the championship.
3. Terrence Romeo
Love him or hate him, Romeo was a productive court general when he donned that Gilas jersey. In 19 games in four tournaments, The Bro averaged 13.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game on 40% shooting from downtown. He was also the lead guard of that rag-tag 2015 FIBA Asia Cup team that won silver. Go ahead, look it up.
2. Jimmy Alapag
The Mighty Mouse is a throwback to the likes of Calma and Abarrientos as a facilitator. He is also the embodiment of “Puso,” often holding his own against bigger opposition. And when the game is on the line, Alapag was as clutch as they come. Just ask the South Koreans.
1. Jayson Castro
Hard to put anyone at number 1 besides The Blur, who was adjudged Asia’s Best Point Guard twice after being voted to the Mythical Five of the 2013 and 2015 FIBA Asia Championships. Castro is a modern PG, able to orchestrate the offense for the most part but capable of putting points on the board just the same.