James Yap versus Jireh Ibanez and Beau Belga. Photo from Nuki Sabio/PBA
MANILA, Philippines— An even more physical game three of the semifinals between Rain or Shine and San Mig Coffee on Christmas day.
That’s what James Yap is expecting as the Mixers tied their best-of-seven semifinals series to one apiece Friday night with a 106-82 blowout of the Elastopainters.
“Alam naman natin ang Rain or Shine, hindi basta-bastang team, babalik at babalik ‘yon,” said Yap, who torched Rain or Shine with 34 points, including seven treys.
“It’s going to be a more physical game in game three. Kailangan mapantayan ‘yong physical play,” added Yap.
It was Yap’s highest output in almost two years since dropping 36 back in the semifinals game one against Talk N’ Text of the 2010 PBA Philippine Cup.
The ruggedness and physicality were huge factors in Friday’s game.
Elastopainters’ head coach Yeng Guiao even got ejected in the third quarter for continuous complaining, believing that the referees were not calling it fair when it comes to contacts.
“I guess we just got frustrated with the calls and we felt that they were allowing too much contact against us while we couldn’t defend them with the same amount of contact they were giving us, said Guiao. “’Yon ang pinag-umpisahan ng lahat.”
While Guiao figures out how to effectively keep the Mixers in check, Yap knows they just have to keep up with their defense that worked so well in game two.
Paul Lee, the most consistent scoring for Rain or Shine, was held to just seven points while no other player from their side contributed more than 12.
“We also need to be consistent on our defense kasi marami silang shooters,” Yap said.