James Yap vs Calvin Abueva. PBA IMAGES/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — San Mig Coffee swingman James Yap let his frustrations out following his team’s 67-86 defeat in Game 2 Monday night.
Yap, who is playing with a sore lower back, warned Alaska forward Calvin Abueva over what Yap claimed that his back was elbowed by Abueva at one point in the game.
“Tinira niya ako, sapul ako sa likod,” said Yap, after getting treatment on his back moments after the game.
“Gusto ko lang sabihin sa kanya na hindi tama ginagawa niya. Naiintindihan ko naman na semis e pero isipin lang naman niya yung kapwa player, nakakasakit siya. Hindi ko alam kung rookie lang ba talaga siya kaya siya ganon maglaro, rookie pa lang ba siya? So hindi tama yung ginawa niya pero naiintindihan ko yun kasi semis naman.”
Abueva, who has carried over his physical play from the NCAA to the pros, visibly got under Yap’s skin as Yap, who was even called for a technical foul early in the second quarter, finished the game with as much fouls with five as points in 21 minutes.
The two-time MVP though, insisted that he has no problems with Abueva’s tactics being that it’s the semifinals and he expects players to be highly-physical.
“Well like I said semis na ‘to physical yung game, siguro ganon lang talaga siya maglaro,” he added with a laugh.
Yap, who also said that he will get his back, which tightened after it took a blow from Abueva, checked, didn’t like how the referees kept on buying into Abueva’s “flopping” which resulted into him getting into foul trouble early.
“Sabi ko tignan niyo muna kasi siya (Abueva) yung nauna. Wag kayong magpadala sa flop niya kasi kapag binabangga niya kami siya yung unang natutumba. Wala naman akong against sa mga referees basta ang ano ko lang tignan lang nila.”