The Final Score: Happy 500th Jimmy Alapag

I saw Jimmy Alapag for the first time in 2002. We were both inside the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center. He was practicing with the National Team for the 2002 Asian Games. Since I wasn't covering the PBA yet and I was still years away from writing anything online...malamang nakikigulo lang ako doon.

I was standing behind the goalpost nearest to the weights room. I asked someone, I can't remember who it was, "Pare sino yung Jimmy Alapag?" The person answered, "Ah si Alapag, magaling yan. Sabi ng mga players ng RP Team pag pumasa yan, matatanggap mo yung pasa na nasa best scoring position ka. Laging perfect pass."

I don't remember who said it. Yet I clearly remember what he said.

"Magaling yan."

At that time, I couldn't envision Alapag in a Philippine Team uniform. I couldn't even envision him in a PBA uniform. It wasn't because he was small. It wasn't because I believed others were better than this confident, gung-ho, baby-faced, killer bee of a point guard. It was only because I knew so little about him.

Today, it's hard to envision the PBA without Jimmy Alapag.

It's even harder to envision a Philippine Team without Jimmy Alapag.

I remember another conversation in late 2003, or maybe it happened early 2004. Basta sure ako it happened. I was chatting with San Miguel point guard Olsen Racela right before a game. We stood under the south goalpost of the Araneta Coliseum. Seconds later, Jimmy, on his way to the court, stopped to say hi to Olsen.

Olsen asked Jimmy, "Are you okay with the nickname Mighty Mouse?"

Jimmy shrugged his shoulders, smiled and replied, "It's alright."

Olsen, while looking at Jimmy, pointed to me and said, "Blame this guy."

We all laughed.

Olsen added, "Jimmy, my son said you should be Dexter."

Dexter was the star of the animated show Dexter's Laboratory on Cartoon Network.

Let's rewind. I thought of Mighty Mouse as a moniker for Jimmy because 1) Jimmy kinda looks like a mouse especially when he avoids the clutches of bigger opponents while scampering down the court and 2) Mighty Mouse would've been the perfect rival for The Cool Cat. Jimmy Alapag - 2003 Rookie of the Year versus Mike Cortez - 2003 #1 overall pick. Alapag versus Cortez. Mouse versus Cat. Tom and Jerry. Get it? Never mind.

What if I listened to Olsen and used Dexter?

With Jimmy's achievements, maybe it could've worked too.

Speaking of Olsen, I'm happy that Jimmy now belongs to their elite band of legendary point guards. You know how Hector Calma became the favorite point guard of one generation. Then, Ronnie Magsanoc and Olsen and Johnny A became favorites of the next generation. And now Jimmy has become an iconic point guard for the latest generation of fans. Jimmy belongs to that club the way Raimund Marasigan belongs to the Eraserheads.

It's undeniable.

It's indisputable.

500 games and counting.

3000 assists and counting.

10,000 game winning moments.

Okay hindi naman 10,000 but you know what I mean.

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How can a nice guy last this long and be so good for so long? I've asked people about Jimmy. These are people who don't sugarcoat and have little desire to bullsh*t. They all swear Jimmy's a nice guy. Mukha naman talagang mabait si Jimmy. In fact, he's one of just two guys I know who can't make tattoos looks menacing. The other guy is Popeye.

So to the guy who said "magaling yan" in 2002, whoever you are, you were only partly correct.

Hindi lang magaling yan.

Magaling talaga.

So happy 500th Jim. When you guys get to our age, you'll understand why it's even more respectful to call him Jim. I respect him so much, I often forget that I'm older than him. Leaders have that effect on people, I suppose. Like if I stop calling him Mighty Mouse and start calling him Kuya Jim, it will still make so much sense. - AMD, GMA News