There’s no better man to take a final shot in a pivotal contest in the PBA today than James Yap.
Yap, who has been in the big league since 2004, is known for his nerves of steel. He’s made big shots that led to seven career championships and two Most Valuable Player plums.
And in Rain or Shine’s win-or-go-home game against Yap’s former team Magnolia, he had the ball in the most crucial of moments.
With eight seconds left in overtime and the Hotshots up by two, the 6-foot-3 swingman out of Negros Occidental was able to get into the lane, going for a tough lay-up against two defenders.
But his attempt did not even hit iron.
“Mahirap sabihin na sayang eh, basta alam mo sa sarili mo na binigay mo yung best mo. Siguro, hindi lang talaga para sa’yo,” he shared about the shot.
“Pero mayroon pa ring pumapasok sa isip mo na, ‘Yung last shot ko, sayang talaga. Dapat jinump shot ko yun’.”
For years, Yap has been known for his deadly stepback jumpers and his tough one-handed floaters. He did not go for either which he regretted moments after Rain or Shine’s 60-63 loss that ended their Philippine Cup campaign.
“Ngayon ko lang na-realize ulit na ang dami kong na-experience na ganoong situation. Kahit nakikita mo na open lane yung basket, kailangan mo ititira mo nang maayos na lang kaysa nangyari yung layup ko na hindi tumama ng ring.
“Masasabi natin na may tulak, pero naiintindihan ko naman yun dahil crucial yun. Maliban na lang talaga kung hampasin ka. Doon ako nanghihinayang. Ganoon talaga,” he continued.
Still, Yap, who is in his third year with the Elasto Painters, remains proud of the stand they put up all season long.
Only a few expected them to end the elimination round as the second seed; fewer still predicted that they would be just one game away from making it to the Finals.
And Yap is confident that this experience will only help the team moving forward, especially their young guns.
“Ako, happy ako na nangyari din sa amin ito. Malaking bagay sa amin ito as a team. Gusto ko yung ganito na natututo yung mga teammates ko and team. Dito kami magiging solid. Pagdating sa mga ganitong laro, kailangan relaxed lang,” he said. “Yung mga teammates ko kanina, medyo gigil.
“Makikita mo talaga yung difference sa Magnolia at Rain or Shine.”
