A blank-faced James Yap came out of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters dugout at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum Friday night, as if he and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters had not come off a hard-earned, 113-105 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup opener.
The 35-year-old veteran, with his usual quiet demeanor, acted liked nothing had happened moments earlier. Aside from the big win, Yap was undeniably the star of the show.
Yap led the Elato Painters with 26 markers, including 13 in the final frame, on a notable 9-of-15 shooting from the floor. His output was his highest one in the last three years — a number he had posted almost on a nightly basis during his San Mig Coffee Mixers heydays.
“Three years? Ang tagal na noon,” said a surprised Yap, when he was informed of the feat.
Even Elasto Painters head coach Caloy Garcia was raving about his prized guard’s play.
“It’s nice to see James Yap back,” said the mentor. “I just hope he’ll be healthy. If he’s healthy, he’ll get back to being the old James Yap.”
This outburst of the 13-time All-Star is indeed his best outing in an Elasto Painters uniform, after having been traded by the Star Hotshots in the off-season — a remarkable performance after playing in the 2017 Philippine Cup while nursing a surgically-treated knee.
“Nung Philippine Cup talagang yun yung time na na-operahan ang knee ko, so ‘di pa masyadong malakas at inaalalayan ko pa ng konti. Mahirap maglaro pag may inaalalayan ka,” admitted Yap, who averaged 11.2 points last conference.
And Yap has simply credited his well-conditioned body, saying that he made good use of the long layoff RoS had after being kicked out of the All-Filipino quarterfinals by eventual champions San Miguel Beermen.
“Kasi talagang bago dumating yung Commissioner’s Cup, nagpakundisyon ako, disiplina, extra work, extra shooting,” shared the two-time MVP.
“I’m happy na lumabas na yung pinaghirapan ko.”
Asked if this vintage performance of his will be seen consistently in the coming games, the seven-time champion says he hopes so, as he braces himself for yet another long haul in the import-laden conference.
“Malayo pa eh. ‘Wag lang magrelax. Kung ano yung ginagawa mo at the start of the conference, tuloy lang. ‘Di na masyadong hard, bawasan na lang ng konti para ‘di ka masunog,” said the 12-year veteran.
“Malayo pa ‘to, marami pang pagdadaanang giyera.”
