James Yap debuts with Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
BACOLOD CITY—James Yap was a shell of his former self in the culmination of the PBA’s All-Star Weekend here on Sunday.
The former two-time league Most Valuable Player played only nine minutes and his highlights were limited to a pair of four-pointer attempts and a triple try. He finished with only a pair of rebounds and an assist in the showcase at University of St. La Salle here.
But those measly figures did not keep Tim Cone, Yap’s former coach at the Purefoods franchise, from heaping praises on the Bacolod bet.
READ: James Yap ready for record 18th PBA All-Star appearance
“Nothing surprises me anymore with James,” Cone told reporters after a thrilling classic that ended in a 140-140 stalemate that night.
“James is like a freak of nature, you know. He’s not a normal human. He finds a way to keep his body in shape, he finds a way to stay sharp, he finds a way to stay effective even at his age,” he went on.
‘Bacolod vote’
Yap, who joined the midseason caravan through the “Bacolod vote,” started the game for a Mark Barroca-captained squad, which clawed its way out of a 30-point rut before forging a draw that will be talked about for quite a while.
Now 42 years old, Yap was candidly realistic when he spoke to reporters after the homecoming that had him log his 18th All-Star Game appearance, which is now the 48-year-old league’s record.
READ: PBA: James Yap opens his Blackwater era with a victory
“I would’ve wanted to hit at least one three-pointer, but it rolled out [of the basket],” he said. “But it’s OK. I was able to see all my [fellow Ilonggos] here in Bacolod,” he said.
“I’m happy and blessed that all this happened where I grew up. I thank everyone for their support. And a shoutout to my constituents in San Juan (City), I bet they’re also proud that I now hold the record,” added James Yap, who now has a budding career as a councilman.