It may have already been six days, but the short video clip showing coach Caloy Garcia not checking in James Yap during the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ bout against the Kia Picanto last January 20 that made rounds on social media is still being talked about.
Fans of the Elasto Painters and Yap were deeply affected by what happened, with most of them clamoring that the two-time league Most Valuable Player did not deserve to be pinned to the bench during a crucial moment in the match.
It can be seen in the clip that Yap asked Garcia, “Coach, saan ako?” while the latter was chalking up a play, and Garcia responded, “Hindi, si Beau Belga papasok,” leaving him with no choice but to stay on the sidelines.
The Elasto Painters lost, 94-98, allowing the Picanto to end their historic 16-game losing skid in the process.
But on Friday night, as Rain or Shine bounced back from that sorry loss through a 97-86 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors, the 35-year-old cleared the air over what really happened last Saturday, saying that it was all a result of confusion.
“Actually nauna talaga si Beau eh [kapag] 30-second (timeout) isa lang pala yung pwedeng pumasok,” clarified the 14-year pro. “Tinawag si Beau then after ni Beau tinawag din niya ako. Si Beau naka-report na, ako pangalawa.
“Akala ko naipasok ako dahil ‘di naman ako sinabihan ng official na isa so sabi ko ‘ok coach pasok ako.’ So kaya nagtanong ako saan ako. Sabi isa lang pala kaya [bumalik] ulit ako sa scorer’s [table] na isa, so si Beau [pumasok].”
Yap also made it clear that he has no ill feelings towards Garcia after that, that he respects the veteran coach’s decisions. But had the rules been otherwise, the seven-time champ said that he would have gone into the game and played.
“No, no. Diskarte niya yun,” said the four-time Finals MVP.
“Kung pwede lang pumasok kami ni Beau, papasok talaga ako dun eh.”
