James Yap had himself going in the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup versus the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters Sunday night, already having 15 markers in three quarters.
Unfortunately, an injury ended his night.
The 37-year-old asked to be subbed out with 7:29 remaining in the third quarter as he complained of pain in his groin. He left the match with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting with a rebound and a steal.
“Biglang sumakit ang groin.
“‘Di ko na lang pinilit dahil baka mapunit e. Nafeel ko talaga ‘pag pinilit ko pa mapupunit talaga. Alam ko ‘pag groin pag napunit masyado matagal kaya … nagpa-sub na lang ako,” Yap said.
The two-time league MVP bared that he’s actually feeling some sort of tightness in his quads before the game, and that left him a bit puzzled as to why it was his groin that got hurt instead.
But Yap somehow figured out that it might had also been due to himself, admitting that he hasn’t really been including the groin part as part of his strengthening workouts.
“Bigla na lang eh. Actually before the game nararamdaman ko na yung quads ko medyo tight so nagii-stretching ako ng quads. Di ko alam ba’t biglang sumakit tong groin,” he said.
“Baka naiiwan sa workout e — ‘di ko nawoworkout masyado yung groin ko so kaya baka kailangan i-workout lahat ng part ng legs. Yun yung sinabi rin ng PT namin at tsaka yung trainer.”
Yap, though, finds consolation with the fact that the Elasto Painters won, 89-82, to even their card to 2-2.
“Buti nanalo. Thank you sa mga teammates ko, binigyan nila ako ng bonus,” said the 15-year league veteran with a chuckle.
“Sayang pero okay lang, panalo naman.”
Now, Yap hopes that the injury won’t turn into something threatening. He hopes that it will heal through strengthening and rest, a luxury he will have as RoS’ next game will still be on June 19.
“Check up ko Tuesday so pahinga muna ako tomorrow. Sana rest lang ‘to, strengthening.”
