PERFECT TIME TO HIT STRIDE
What a way for James Yap to get his confidence going just in time for the playoffs.
The two-time MVP finally shrugged off the rust to lead Star to a lopsided 117-89 win over Barako Bull and give the Hotshots a chance to even finish in the top four of the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup elims.
Yap waxed hot from the field, going 3-of-5 from three-point region and 7-of-11 overall to finish with 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
But for coach Tim Cone, this impressive marksmanship was a long time coming.
“He’s been shooting really well in practice but he’s not translating it in games,” he said. “He had good shooting nights against Kia and Ginebra, but he bummed up in the last two games.”
Cone added, “Right now, we just have to ride the hot guy because it’s all about winning at this point. Whoever is playing well, we’ll go with him because every game is too important. You can ask his teammates and he’s killing it in practice, so I’m not surprised by his shooting tonight.”
The Negrense gunner, for his part, attributes the excellent performance to his team’s dedication to their craft.
“In the last two days sa practice, maganda yung shooting namin. Buti nadala namin sa game kasi importante yung game na to. Pag natalo kami, baka tagilid na kami,” Yap said.
Though facing inconsistencies in their shooting, Yap knows that with more effort comes better results, saying, “Practice more pa para madala natin lagi. Buti na lang nadala ko (yung magandang shooting) this game. Sana magtuloy-tuloy na.”
This win also renewed Star’s confidence heading to the playoffs, as it bucked a 1-4 start and could still possibly end up with a win-once edge in the quarters.
Yap said it was due to the team zeroing in on every game and giving their all, as he said, “Ang ginawa lang namin one game at a time lang talaga. Di na namin inisip kung ano ang mangyayari. Kailangan panalunin na lang yung remaining games.”
“Lahat focused. Alam namin kung ano ang mangyayari. Pag ganitong laro, alam na namin at di na dapat sabihin na focus. Dapat talaga nagtutulungan para maipanalo yung game.”
And that mantra is definitely working well for Star, as the back-to-back wins have obviously set the tone for the squad’s final push to the quarterfinals.
“I guess if you’re picking a right time to get your stride, now is the best time,” said Cone. (RL)
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