JIMMY ALAPAG again proved that hard work is always rewarded.

The Talk ’N Text point guard was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2010-11 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season, continuing a tradition of small guys who captured the most coveted individual award in the league.

It was Alapag’s first MVP since he was selected No. 10 overall by the Tropang Texters in the 2003 Draft.

Actually, no one saw it coming, even Alapag himself.

“Not all of you know, ever since I started playing basketball, any time I get ready for my high school or college season, or being here in the PBA for almost nine years, I’ve never gone to start a season, working this hard, doing the running, lifting and practicing my shooting to win the MVP,” said the obviously excited 33-year-old playmaker.

“It’s always about winning for me and the championship. If I’m blessed to win an award like this, it’s really a huge honor and standing here right now knowing I won the award especially in our league with all its rich history,” Alapag added.

He joined the elusive list of point guards in league history to win the MVP trophy. Those before him included the legendary Robert Jaworski who won it in 1978, Ricardo Brown (1985), Johhny Abarrientos (1996), Willie Miller (2002 and 2006-07) and Jayjay Helterbrand (2008-09).

Alapag edged Petron Blaze’s Arwind Santos and Barangay Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa for the award in what could be one of the closest races in the battle for the MVP trophy.

Finishing only eighth in the statistical points category, Alapag mustered enough votes from media to collect a total of 1,888 points. Santos finished second with 1,687, while Caguioa had 1,317.

He was named to the Mythical First Team, his third, along with Santos, Caguioa, teammate Kelly Williams and Alaska’s Sonny Thoss.