ALEX Cabagnot felt relieved to finally win while playing for Team Pilipinas for the first time at home, never mind if it was held behind closed doors.
Now the veteran point guard hopes he'll be there for the long haul.
"It felt good. I'm not really into the destination, but our journey has begun," declared Cabagnot after Team Pilipinas rallied past Qatar Monday night, 91-82, in the Fiba World Cup qualifiers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Given the chance, Cabagnot would like to keep on playing for Team Pilipinas, although he's aware that under FIBA rules, teams can submit different set of lineups in every window of the home-and-away tournament.
"Hopefully, I could be there for the next window. You know how it is naman, pero I can't control that," he said. "I could only control what happened and I'm glad and I'm fortunate to be with these guys and to be under coach Yeng Guiao."
Against Qatar, Cabagnot showed he can be relied upon when needed by Team Pilipinas.
The national team newbie exploded in the second half and helped the Filipinos pull off the come-from-behind win in the second closed-door game to be held at the Big Dome in the last 41 years.
Cabagnot had 10 of his team-high 16 points during that second half stretch, including four straight free throws in a run that clinched for home team the much-needed victory, snapping a two-game losing streak.
The San Miguel Beer veteran point guard was 4-of-6 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line as he atoned for his shooting struggle in his debut with Team Pilipinas, an 81-73 loss to Iran in Tehran last week.
He felt elated to finally win one with the national team.
"Masarap yung panalo namin," he stressed. "And hopefully, we could build this in the next window if I'm still there, if I'm still invited by coach Yeng, the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) community, and the federation."
Of course, all of these won't be possible without the support of his San Miguel family.
The Fil-Am guard is grateful to SMC management in paving the way for him to play for flag and country for the first time.
"Also to my superiors at San Miguel, thank you for allowing me to play for Team Pilipinas. Thank you mga boss - RSA (Ramon S. Ang), Boss Robert (Non), coach Leo (Austria), and Boss Alfrancis Chua," said Cabagnot.
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