James Yap on do-or-die Game Seven: ‘We need to play as a team’

AKTV/Paolo Papa

B-MEG superstar guard James Yap is in one of the finest scoring stretches of his career. Over the past two games in the Commissioner’s Cup finals, Big Game James has torched the defense of the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to the tune of 28.5 points per game while shooting a blistering 8-of-10 from three-point distance.

Still, he would trade all those points for a victory in the ultimate game of the best-of-seven series.

“Kahit five points, ten points lang ako, basta manalo kami,” Yap told InterAKTV Saturday after Llamados practice.

“Yung lagi ko namang sinasabi, kung anong kailangan ng team — rebounding, defense — gagawin ko, basta manalo kami.”

In the past two games, that has meant scoring points, as Yap and import Denzel Bowles have accounted for 118 of the 164 points scored by B-MEG in the past two games, with the rest of their teammates scoring just 46 points over that span. According to Yap, that just won’t cut it.

“We need to play as a team. Hindi pwedeng ako lang at si Denzel ang gagawa,” he said.

In his speech to the Llamados to end practice, coach Tim Cone underscored the need for each player to help the team.

“You guys need to be ready to come in and contribute. We need to support Denzel and James,” Cone said.

“It should be a good crowd, it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”

After practice, Cone said he doesn’t need to lay it on too thick for his players, who understand the game’s importance.

“It’s Game Seven, they already know that,” he said.

Mammoth crowd

Yap, meanwhile, is happy about the smashing success of the PBA finals at the box-office.

“Siguro nakikita nila, exciting yung mga games, kasi yung dalawang team, talagang patayan na,” said the two-time Most Valuable Player.

“Sobrang thankful lang ako sa suporta nilang lahat.”

But the surge in interest in the championship series also comes with it some pitfalls for Yap.

“Ang dami ngang tumatawag sa akin eh, nanghihingi ng ticket. Mag-a-apologize na ako sa kanila, kasi hindi ko sila ma-a-accommodate.”

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