Tim Cone says Jimmy Alapag is the 'X-Factor' of the series

People thought that Meralco Bolts' hulking import Allen Durnham is the most important man for the Manny Pangilinan-owned franchise.

For the most winningest coach of PBA, Tim Cone, it is no other than Jimmy "The Mighty Mouse" Alapag.

“I think the real X-Factor is Jimmy Alapag. I don’t think it’s secret, but the level of play and how far the level of play [of Meralco] got elevated when he came out of retirement,” Cone said.

Alapag formally announced his retirement on January 9, 2015, before serving as a Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach and a team manager of Talk N' Text team.

Few months after leaving the his #3 jersey hanging as a Talk N' Text veteran guard, he came out of retirement and signed with the Meralco Bolts for a two-year deal worth P10.08 million.



And now, the Mghty Mouse still has the skills of being one of the dangerous point guard in the Philippine league.

Cone added that Alapag's leadership and experience on winning games is what made him the "X-factor" of the Best-of-Seven series of the PBA Governor's Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra Kings.

"He knows how to win. He’s won on all levels and he knows how to teach the young players. He’s gonna get them going.” Cone said.