RAIN or Shine Elasto Painters guard James Yap said he has already moved on after being unceremoniously traded away by the Magnolia Hotshots franchise two years ago.
The Escalante City, Negros Occidental-native guard, who was the face of the Magnolia franchise before, said he does not have an ax to grind against his former team.
“Actually, hindi ko na iniisip ‘yun. Kasi pag iisipin mo ‘yun, nandoon ‘yung gigil, nandoon lahat eh, na gusto mong magpakita,” said Yap, who scored a game-winner for the Painters in their game against the Hotshots recently.
“Aaminin ko noong mga bago pa lang ‘yung trade masamang-masama ang loob ko,” he said. “Pero ngayon, almost two years na so kailangan ko rin mag-relax. Kasi laging gigil pag sila kalaban. Okay naman, maganda ‘yung kinalabasan.”
Now that he has already adjusted well with the Painters, the two-time PBA MVP awardee is hoping to deliver a championship for the team just before he hang up his sneakers.
“Sana mag-champion kami sa Rain or Shine,” said the 37-year-old Yap. “Sana manalo ng championship as a Rain or Shine player naman. ‘Yan ang birthday wish ko this year.”
The Painters are currently on top of the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup with 7-1 win-loss slate. They are also assured of a quarterfinals seat.
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Team Malditos reached the finals of the JB Sports San Jose Ballers Club Basketball League after a 97-93 win over Conlu Customs in the semifinals held recently at the La Paz Gym in La Paz, Iloilo City.
John Davis Paquingan tallied 32 points, six rebounds and three assists to lead the way for the Malditos. Mark Ceniza had double-double 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Conlu.
Team Malditos had been ahead since the start of the match with Paquingan waxing hot on the offensive end.
The Malditos were still ahead in the third frame when Conlu made a huge run to close the gap.
In the fourth quarter, Conlu Construction was still able to seize the advantage with three minutes left but the Malditos came up with clutch conversions from Paquingan to take the win.
Team Malditos were the underdogs heading into the semis as they sport a 1-3 elimination round record, while Conlu Customs were on top with 3-1 slate with also-ran J Cordon Construction.
The championship match between the Team Malditos and the Iloilo Doctors’ College/AsiaLink is tentatively scheduled on Sunday./PN
