Oh Jimmy, My Jimmy

He still has it.
(Photo credit to the owner)

When Jimmy Alapag decided or agreed to unretire and suit up for the Meralco Bolts, just months after announcing his then official retirement, it was probably done in hopes of being one of the missing pieces to a budding contender. Because surely, who on God's green earth would give up the wonders of retirement, easing into a front office- good paying job and being able to spend more time with his family to play for such a lousy team that is currently at the bottom of the PBA Philippine Cup with a 1-8 record?

We accept the fact that Alapag is a modern day national hero; but we didn't know that he was a willing martyr to boot.

In nine games played, Alapag is averaging 21mpg 5ppg 1rpg 5apg and shooting 28.2% from 2 and 21.2% from 3-- most of these numbers are career lows FYI. The Bolts' system has been so chaotic, that we see Alapag playing heavy minutes one night, then handing over the keys to rookie shooting guard/ small forward Chris Newsome rather than the guy who was supposed to be his understudy coming out of college, another rookie, Baser Amer.

What in the blue hell? What is going on here?

For what it is worth, anything Alapag does in a Bolts uniform is just added icing on an already beautiful cake. There is not a thing he can do (or not do) that will ruin the image of a hard-fighting, God-like Talk'n'Text/ Gilas Alapag that has been forever etched in the hearts and minds of just about every hot-blooded Filipino basketball fan.

If anything, we feel sad for him.

He came back for this?

To constantly egg on Rabeh Al Hussaini? To remind Cliff Hodge that he is a basketball player and not some headless chicken? To sit on the bench and watch a rookie small forward masquerade as a point guard while his chosen understudy keeps him company on that same bench?

To help the Bolts tank for Kiefer Ravena a higher pick in the 2016 PBA Draft?

Say it isn't so.

Someone please tell us that the Bolts are just having some trouble integrating Al Hussaini's low post offense and zero defense with what they were doing successfully last year.

Someone please tell us that the Bolts will come to play by next conference, with the help of some import, and reward Alapag for his labor.

Because if this 1-8 record is a sign of things to come, then maybe Alapag should've stayed retired after all.