INQUIRER Sports Performer of the Week: Jimmy Alapag

PBA IMAGE/ Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines – Will to win is what separates the good ones from the great.

And in the past two games of the 2011 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals—Jimmy Alapag has shown in which echelon he belongs to as he led Talk N’ Text in salvaging its injury-riddled bid to make it to the finals.

Alapag reminded everyone that he’s the reigning Most Valuable Player Sunday night with 29 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists in the Texters’ 111-108 triumph in Game 6 to be awarded as Inquirer Sports’ performer of the week.

“Jimmy [Alapag] is a big time player. He came out very aggressive, looking to score from the start. He played great—and that’s Jimmy,” said Talk N’ Text head coach Chot Reyes.

The Texters clawed back from a 1-3 series hole. against fellow powerhouse team Petron—the same team who snatched away their dreams of a Grand Slam last conference.

It was Alapag’s best offensive night in the entire semifinals series—wherein no team has won by more than four points—and he picked the best time to get back into his ways to help his squad forge a Game 7.

But there wasn’t even going to be a game six if not for Alapag’s clutch efforts for Talk N’ Text in its the 93-91 win last Wednesday.

Alapag sank a go-ahead triple—his first and only of that night where he only finished with five points—with over 40 seconds remaining to retain the Texters’ hopes.

It hasn’t been an easy season for Alapag after missing a total of nine games in the eliminations, and not being on top his game in the semifinals, due to nagging injuries.

“It’s a bit frustrating for myself. It’s the first time in my 10-year career that I have to deal with some nagging injuries and you know how much I love to play,” said the five-foot-nine Alapag.

Alapag edged another guard—NLEX Road Warriors’ RR Garcia, who has been sizzling hot from downtown in the last three games, for the weekly citation.

In the last three games of the Road Warriors, who just clinched an outright semifinals berth, Garcia has been averaging six triples a game and easily the best offensive threat in NLEX’s fancied line-up.