Jimmy Alapag retires from the hardcourt

by: Christian Jasper Arenal

PHOTO BY: Rappler.com

After six title wins, four Most Valuable Player awards, multiple international competition stints, and several doses of clutch baskets, Jimmy Alapag a.k.a the “Mighty Mouse” decided to hang up his jersey after 12 years in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Drafted 10^th overall by the Talk n Text Phone Pals in 2003, Alapag easily nabbed attention by bagging the Rookie of the Year award, earning his spot as one of the elite point guards in the league. Alongside Asi Taulava, Alapag put in another recognition on his resume by leading the Phone Pals to an upset  win over the Coca-Cola Tigers in the All-Filipino Cup finals, overcoming a 0-2  deficit and winning the series in six games to capture their first ever title in his rookie year.

 Taulava was then traded by the team in 2007, breaking one of the most lethal  one-two punch in the league. But Asi's departure served as a stepping stone for the diminutive Alapag to emerge from Taulava's shadows, and managed to fill in the void remarkably as the captain of the Talk n' Text franchise. 

 With his excellent court vision, deadly shooting, and savvy leadership,  the Mighty Mouse was able to lead his team to historic heights ,bagging five titles in  six years and winning several awards 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup Best Player of the Conference, and the 2011 Finals MVP

PHOTO BY: inquirer. net  Talk N Text celebrates back to back championship

 The illustrious career of Jimmy Alapag was not only celebrated in the country but also overseas. Alapag, a mainstay in the national team,  received much needed recognition for his herculean efforts after leading the country's national team "Gilas Pilipinas" back in the basketball map.

PHOTO BY: gmanetwork.com  Gilas' Jimmy Alapag featured on FIBA yearend cover photo

Alapag showcased a historic performance against South Korea, drilling a three-pointer that pushed Gilas' lead to five in the dying seconds to seal the win and solidifying his place in the annals of Philippine Basketball as one of the all-time greats.

PHOTO BY: fiba.com Alapag shoots a crucial three in the Semifinals of
                the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships

Alapag then led Gilas to Spain into the World Cup and battled valiantly with the World's best. He highlighted his first (and last) stint in the tournament with another clutch performance against Argentina that kept the Philippines in the game, though they ultimately succumbed to the taller Argentines. Lacking height and experience, the team also fell behind the countries of Croatia, Puerto Rico, and Greece. Gilas finished the tourney with a 1-4 record, beating Senegal in their lone win

PHOTO BY: philstar.com Alapag celebrates Gilas Pilipinas'  first win in the
                                          FIBA World Championship after 40 years 

 
On December 23, 2014, he surpassed Ronnie Magsanoc to move to No. 2 behind Allan Caidic in the all-time three-point list with 1,172 three point field goals made.

He announced his retirement on January 9, 2015, to the astonishment of millions of his fans in the country. Alapag will take over as Talk n Text team manager and will also be assuming assistant coaching duties behind newly-appointed Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin.