Having won multiple championships in a career that will surely go down as one of the best there is once all has been said and done, James Yap is no stranger to playing do-or-die games.
The two-time league Most Valuable Player is that same position yet again, this time in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
But the difference now is that he is playing against the Magnolia Hotshots – the team that he not only steered to numerous titles, but also the team where James Yap became Big Game James.
Yap and his Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will be playing a Game Seven versus the Hotshots for the right to face defending, five-time All-Filipino champs San Miguel Beermen in the Finals.
The 37-year-old feels excited about it.
“Sobrang excited,” he said. “Siguro, ang gagawin ko lang, relax lang. ‘Wag na masyado mag-isip pa kasi ‘pag inisip mo na Game Seven, kalaban ko yung dati kong team, kailangan magpakita ako.
“Pero ‘wag muna, ‘di ko muna isipin yun. Laro na lang talaga.”
Yap is one of the elder statesmen in the Elasto Painters. As such, he has simple advice for the team, especially the younger ones – enjoy Sunday’s Game Seven.
“Sinasabi ko lang to enjoy this moment kasi minsan lang may Game Seven. Ang hirap makarating sa semifinals, nag-Game Seven pa, enjoyin mo ito at ibigay mo ang best mo,” he said.
“‘Pag alam mo na binigay mo ang best mo, kahit anong mangyari, wala kang pagsisisihan. Talagang all-out ka na.”
For Yap, personally, he still has a chance to make it into the Finals and try to win his first Philippine Cup title since 2014 — the championship run that started San Mig Coffee’s rare Grand Slam feat.
The seven-time champion, however, doesn’t want to think too far ahead.
“Five years ago. Gusto ko mang isipin, ayoko muna dahil nakaka-pressure yung ganoon eh,” Yap said.
“I-take ko as regular game yung Game Seven, basta ibigay ko lang yung best ko.”
