04 November 2016

Jimmy Alapag Retires The 2nd Time

Jimmy Alapag
"This time its for good," Jimmy Alapag said after he announced last 3 November that he is retiring for the second time.

The former PBA MVP and longtime national player made the announcement on pal Eric Menk's official YouTube channel, saying he 'won't be coming back for the upcoming PBA season.'

"It's been an amazing 13 years but turning 39 next month and having left everything that I had on the basketball court, it's time to talk away for good," the 'Mighty Mouse' said.

It will be recalled that after the memorable 2013-14 campaign that saw him lead Gilas Pilipinas to a runner-up finish in the FIBA Asia Championship in Manila as well as a historic return to the FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain, the "Mighty Mouse" decided to hang up his jersey.

However, when he took on the role of Talk 'N Text, the 5-8 playmaker was convinced by coach Norman Black to unretire and help him mold the Bolts team to into a consistent squad.

Last year, Meralco started its campaign on a sour note and finish the All-Filipino Cup on a humiliating 1-10 record. They bounced back during the 2016 Commissioner's Cup to reach the Final Four with Arinze Onuaku as import.

During the Governor's Cup, Meralco made its first Finals appearance after joining the league in 2010. Although, Alapag and company lost to Ginebra in six games, they established themselves as one of the emerging and promising powerhouse.

Along the way, Alapag also made history by becoming the most prolific PBA three-point shooter of all time, making 1,250 treys to surpass the previous record of 1,242 of the great Allan Caidic.

"To be part of the process (at Meralco) of building a team from our struggles in the all-Filipino and steadily improving during the season, was pretty special," said Alapag, a six-time champion with Talk 'N Text and a member of the league's 40 Greatest Players.

Alapag had said that one of his biggest reasons for coming back was wanting to have his two young sons see him play for one last time.

That alone made his comeback, albeit a brief one, worth it, the Bolts veteran added.

Here is Alapag's announcement:

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