James Yap’s chase to 10,000 points took an exciting turn during Wednesday night’s double overtime epic that pitted Rain or Shine against NLEX.
Entering the game, the 13-year pro was just 17 points away from reaching the milestone. And after scoring seven points in the second frame of the tilt, the countdown began, with Yap not knowing where in the ladder he was at.
“Ilan na lang ba?” Yap asked members of the press after the game.
During the final frame, Yap heated up. A bucket with nine minutes left in regulation, eight points away. Another bucket 55 seconds later, six away. A booming triple with 7:33 left, three away.
Yap, a man who has a flare for dramatics, had a chance to make the milestone bucket an epic one. With 2.6 seconds left in overtime and the game knotted at 110-all, Yap threw up a laser from right above the key — but the shot was short.
“Three points away na lang ako?! Yun pala… Yun dapat yung last shot!” a wide-eyed Yap exclaimed.
“Pucha! Sayang!”
Rain or Shine eventually lost the game in double overtime, 114-122. And the grueling loss was the only thing on 35-year old’s mind afterwards.
Still, even if he can break the barrier on Saturday against the Meralco Bolts, the 14th all-time scorer in league history continues to emphasize that he will not think about reaching it.
“Sayang nga e! Yung last shot sana, sayang di ko napasok. Sa Ynares na lang, pero hindi ko dapat isipin yun,” quipped Yap. “Three points na lang tapos mamaya hindi pa tayo maka-shoot di ba? Yan yung mahirap, pag palapit nang palapit, minsan masama e. Magkakagigil pa.
“Na-experience na natin yan e.”
