A more aggressive James Yap came up to lead the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers’ thrilling comeback effort in Game Four of their PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup semifinals series against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
With Peter June Simon checked by the Ginebra defense, Yap got away for 20 points on 8-of-17 (47 percent) shooting, helping the Mixers charge back from a 16-point third quarter deficit.
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| James Yap |
But the Mixers’ comeback fell short at the buzzer after Yap missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, allowing Ginebra to escape with the 85-82 victory in the Manila Clasico series.
“Ang sarap ng feeling, hindi kasi siya forced shot, pero wala. Akala ko papasok yung tira,” said Yap.
“Ganun talaga ang game. Mayroong feeling mo papasok pero hindi pala, pero mayroon namang feeling mo hindi papasok, pero papasok pala. Breaks of the game lang.”
Yap could not help but be disappointed because of some crucial misses on his part, including a pair of missed free throws in the fourth quarter, as well as a missed layup that could have given him a three-point play opportunity.
“Ang daming pagkakataong manalo,” said Yap. “Missed free throws, hindi pumasok yung and-1 ko. Sayang andun na.”
The Mixers were on a 20-2 run before Ginebra gained back the momentum on Emman Monfort’s banked-in three-pointer.
“Crucial yung kay Monfort pa-boarding,” added Yap. “Yun ang pinakamabigat doon.”
Despite the loss, Yap saw the result as a positive.
“Down kami tapos nakabalik kami at may chance pa kaming manalo, so alam namin or maiisip namin na kaya naming makabalik,” said Yap. “Laban lang, kahit lamang pa sila ng singkwenta, execute lang namin yung triangle and stick sa system.”
With the series tied at 2-all, Yap believes the series is anyone’s ballgame.
“Ganoon naman talaga ang series, hindi mo masasabi mangyayari. Katulad nito, breaks of the game,” said Yap. “Walang madali.”
