As University of the East prepares to face De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday night, one of the school’s most celebrated alumni was present to support his alma mater – James Yap.
Excited by the prospect of a sixth straight victory for the Red Warriors, the UAAP Season 66 MVP arrived early at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
There, he watched Far Eastern University edge out Adamson University in a thrilling 76-72 overtime win.
“Ang ganda ng performance nila ngayon. Gaya ng sinabi ko, yung five-game winning streak na yan, mahirap ma-achieve yan, and I’m sure sa ganung five-game winning streak, yung confidence ng players sobrang taas,” said the San Juan City councilor.
“Maganda yung pinapakita nila ngayon kasi nakakausap ko si Councilor Don (Allado) [at tinanong ko] kung nagulat ba siya ganito yung performance ng UE ngayon. Sabi niya, hindi at napaaga lang,” added Yap, a two-time UAAP Mythical Team member.
“Feeling niya daw, mag-pe-peak ng kalagitnaan pero napaaga lang daw. Sabi ko, at least okay diba na nag-peak nang maaga and sana maingatan nila momentum nila. Kasi pag five-game winning streak ka, lahat ng momentum, lahat ng confidence, lahat ng kumpyansa ng mga players nandiyan.”
UE’s rise to the top of the standings has been driven by the hot shooting of Wello Lingolingo, Rainer Maga, and John Abate.
Yap – himself one of the greatest shooters in Philippine basketball history – expressed his happiness watching these players, noting that their ability to hit from outside is key.
“Napapanood ko lang yung highlights. Talagang halos lahat ng players ngayon ng UE, shooter. Advantage yun. Mahirap yan bantayan kapag marami kang shooter. Ito, crucial sa kanila yung game na ‘to,” said the seven-time PBA champion.
“Sana makakuha pa rin sila ng panalo sa game na ito kasi pag panalo, number two. Yun ang sabi sa akin ni Coach Melvin (Reyes). Malaking bagay ito. Big game sa kanila ‘to.”
Yap also offered advice to the team, urging them to continue honing their shooting skills.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Practice ng mabuti. Practice lang ng shooting. Every day sa practice, extra shooting. Pag open, take it. Kumbaga, tira lang diba? Basketball lang kasi is all about confidence lang naman eh.”
He went on, “Pag wala kang lakas ng loob tumira, di ka talagang maka-shoot. Mawalan ka ng kumpyansa, diba? Ganun lang naman basketball. Basta pina-practice mo nang mabuti, pina-practice mo every day, para okay lang.”
Regardless of the outcome of the ongoing game between UE and DLSU, Yap believes his alma mater should keep pushing.
He stressed that it’s still too early for the Red Warriors to become complacent, and that their sights should be set higher than just making it back to the Final Four for the first time since Season 72 – they should aim for the championship.
“Siguro, ito na yung start ng pagiging contender ng UE. Sana hindi lang maputol ang momentum. Doon sa pagkaroon ng kompyansa, doon sa pagiging confident, kumbaga kailangan yung hunger nandun. Wala pa sila na-a-achieve eh,” said Yap.
“Kumbaga, five-game winning streak pa lang ang pinag-uusapan dito, hindi pa yung pagpasok ng finals. Wala pa silang na-achieve ngayon.”
He asserted, “Maganda dahil nakalimang panalo sila. Pero after that, sana makuha ma-sustain nila kasi dapat wag ipasok sa utak nila na five-game winning streak kami, pwede na kami matalo. Hindi ganun. Ang pinag-uusapan dito: pa’no ka makakapasok ng Final Four or pano ka makapasok ng Finals?”
