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[av_heading tag=’h3′ padding=’10’ heading=’Big game for James Yap ‘ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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WHILE it will look like any ordinary game for his teammates, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Star Hotshots match up this afternoon will be a big one for two-time PBA MVP James Yap.
The Escalante, Negros Occidental-native Yap said he is looking forward to this matchup with his former team as he’s working hard to get back to 100 percent following his minor surgery during the off-season.
“I’m going to prepare hard for that game against Star. I came from there, spent 12 years and won seven championships there. People have been anticipating for that game,” Yap said.
“I’m already 80 to 90-percent when it comes to my conditioning. I’m close. At least, I’m getting my rhythm back, but it’s still not solid,” added Yap, who is coming off his best game as a Painter with 15 points in their 107-93 win over the Blackwater Elite.
Yap was traded by the Hotshots to the Painters during the off-season in exchange for former PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Lee, who like Yap is facing his former team for the first time.
“All I want is to be ready. I’m the new guy in this team, so I want my adjustment to not affect the team as a whole. We all know Rain or Shine is a strong team and has good players, so we have to be on the same level as they are,” Yap said.
“It’s still basketball. I don’t want to pressure myself so all I have to do is play my game,” he added. “We’ll see. If I have a bad game, it is what it is. But I want to win this game and we still have to play it.”
“We’re always ready here in Rain or Shine. All the players and coaches know that this game is a big deal for me, and I’m sure they’ll be there to support me,” concluded the Negrense sniper.
Unlike Yap, Lee seems to have move on from his departure from the Painters saying that he is treating the much-anticipated game as a normal clash just like the previous Hotshots matches.
“It’s okay, not a big deal, it’s all the same, and of course I will prepare and the team will prepare against them,” said Lee, who won his two PBA championships with the Painters.
“Rain or Shine is still a strong team, they’re 3-1, and they’re still tough whatever happens. Mike Tolomia and JWash [Jay Washington] are good additions,” added the former Gilas Pilipinas member.
The Painters are currently on top of the standings with a 3-1 win-loss slate, while the Hotshots seems to have recovered from its previous struggles as it won its last two matches via wide margins./PN
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