James Yap gets confidence from missed shot, lifts Purefoods in OT

MANILA, Philippines — James Yap nearly made the game-winning 3-pointer at the end of regulation. And that near make was enough to trigger Yap’s shooting in overtime.

Yap missed his first three attempts from the three-point area, but was a perfect 3-of-3 from the field in OT in a triumphant return after missing two games due to a right knee injury.

“Sarap nung feeling, ang sarap nung pakiramdam pag-release ko pero umalog. So doon ako nakakuha ng kumpiyansa going into overtime,” said Yap, whose triple from the right corner went in-and-out. “Tinry ko ulit nung overtime buti na lang nadala ko.”

(It was a good feeling. When I released the shot, it went in and out. But I got confidence from that going in overtime. I tried shooting again in overtime, and thankfully I was able to do it.)

“James had his big moments which is what he’s done in his career,” said Purefoods head coach Tim Cone after a 113-105 win over San Miguel Beer on Sunday night.

Yap made his first triple at the 3:54 mark of OT when he tied the game at 103. He knotted the game again at 105 barely a minute later on a nifty drive against Beermen’s reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo, before sealing the game with his last 3-pointer and an assist to Marc Pingris in the final 1:40.

Yap’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Hotshots, who came into the game losers of three straight and were 1-2 without him.

“Tatlong straight na kami natalo so pagnatalo pa kami this game malalag kami lalo so big game ‘to para sa amin,” said the 33-year-old Yap.

(We have lost three straight, so if we lost again, we’re out so this was really a big game for us.)

RELATED STORY

Purefoods loses huge lead, salvages win over San Miguel