MANILA, Philippines – Talk n Text’s Jimmy Alapag, one of the greatest point guards to ever play in the PBA, announced his retirement from professional basketball after a fruitful 13-year career.
The STAR’s Nelson Beltran said Alapag will assume a new role as the Tropang Texters’ team manager. He will also be an assistant coach for the Philippine national basketball team.
Alapag was selected by Talk n Text as the 10th overall pick in the 2003 PBA Draft, eventually bagging the Rookie of the Year Award. A year earlier, the San Bernardino-based guard was invited by then national team coach Jong Uichico to try out for the Philippine team bound for the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea.
Known for his deadly outside sniping, daredevil drives and sterling passing, the 5-foot-9 Alapag has been a vital cog for Talk n Text, whom he helped win multiple PBA titles. A nine-time PBA All-Star, he also raked in numerous individual awards, including winning the 2004 All-Star MVP plum, making it to the mythical first team thrice (2003, 2005 and 2011), and being named to the All-Defensive Team in 2003.
In 2011, he was named the league's Most Valuable Player.
Additionally, Alapag led the PBA in assists in the 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons.
“The Mighty Mouse” suited up for Gilas Pilipinas in the Philippines’ first ever FIBA World Cup stint in Spain last year, powering the squad to its first win in the tournament in 40 years against Senegal.
Alapag was supposed to retire from international play after the FIBA joust but put that plan on hold to see action in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.