Coming off his best game in a Rain or Shine jersey, James Yap believes that he’s now ready to face his old team Star.
“I’m going to prepare hard for that game. I came from there, spent 12 years and won seven championships there. People have been anticipating for that game,” he said, as he looks forward to the duel next Sunday.
Yap fired a season-best 15 points and five rebounds in the Elasto Painters’ 107-93 win over Blackwater on Friday, and he’s convinced that slowly, he’s getting his bearings back.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
And so far, semblance of the old Yap is showing as he slowly finds his role among the Elasto Painters’ deep
artillery.
With Star next on Rain or Shine’s schedule, the two-time PBA Most Valuable Player made it clear that if there’s one game he badly wants to win, it’s definitely this one.
“It’s still basketball. I don’t want to pressure myself so all I have to do is play my game,” he said. “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.”
He ended: “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.”