James Yap still finding rhythm in PBA bubble

Despite their 87-83 victory over the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen, the Rain or Shine (ROS) Elasto Painters missed the production of their veteran guard James Yap.

ROS head coach Caloy Garcia admitted that the “Big Game” was still finding his rhythm on the floor.

“James [Yap] was only able to practice with the team twice,” Garcia said. “That was after the first two days of practice, then puro therapy ang ginawa niya (he’s just doing therapy), so he wasn’t able to practice for the last 7 days.”

Yap, who came from a groin injury, played for 11 minutes in their PBA bubble debut, but failed to crash on the score sheet as he finished with a 0-for-6 clip from the field with a pair of rebounds.

The team tried to help Yap on the offensive side, but the 38-year-old couldn’t shrug off his struggles and even missed a technical free throw.

“I asked him before the game if he wanted to play and sabi niya, susubukan daw niya.” Garcia added. 

(I asked him before the game if he wanted to play, but he told me that he would try.)

“We’re trying to get him to score, but today wasn’t for him but in the bubble we have continuous games so let’s hope that he’ll be healthy in the next game.”

Luckily for Garcia and Yap, the other Elasto Painters stepped up against the defending champions as Rey Nambatac delivered the dagger triple, while Jayvee Mocon erupted in the opening quarter.

Garcia called Mocon a “born winner” and praised Nambatac’s decision to shoot during the clutch time despite his struggles on the field.

“When we got [Mocon], we really expected him to play like that since last year. He always plays with effort. Lumalaban lagi (he’s always fighting), he doesn’t stop. And he’s a winner. He’s a born winner.”

“But you can see the maturity in [Nambatac],” Garcia said. “He knew the time, he took the biggest shot of the game.”

Aside from Mocon and Nambatac, ROS also found a lift from the bench through Kris Rosales’ 15 points.

Garcia said that Rosales will only get better inside the bubble and jokingly said that the 29-year-old guard was motivated by the LA Lakers’ championship.

“Nanalo kasi Lakers so ganadong-ganado pa [si Rosales] (The Lakers won, so Rosales was very motivated.) ,” said Garcia. “When we got Kris, we already knew he can score. He’s a guy who knows how to use ball screens. As further we go, he’s gonna get better.”

With the tough schedule inside the bubble, Rain or Shine mentor said that the team will rely more on the fresh legs of his young players.

“Here we have to trust our rookies who will give our veterans some time off, because we can play again after two days,” he said.

“Ang labanan dito is ‘yung health at tsaka probably ‘yung guys coming off the bench.“

(The challenges here are health and probably the guys coming off the bench.)

Rain or Shine will return to action on Friday, October 16 against the Terrafirma Dyip. Garcia called Terrafirma a complete team because of their young lineup.

“[Terrafirma] have youth, they can run the floor. I think they’re gonna do well in the bubble,” Garcia said. 

“Basically it’s gonna be a tough game against them. I see them also as one of the top teams because they have the youth, they can play every other day. And if CJ gets better in the bubble, it’s gonna be hard to stop them,” he added. – Rappler.com