RAIN OR SHINE Elasto Painters veteran James Yap was thankful to his teammates for carrying the scoring cudgels that led to their 2-1 lead over Magnolia Hotshots in the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals.
The Escalante City, Negros Occidental native Yap was a struggle offensively in the semifinals as he was held to just eight points each in Games 1 and 2 and six points in their Game 3 loss on Tuesday.
“Tagal makabutas,” said the two-time PBA MVP, who recently moved up to fourth place in the PBA three-points made list. “Kailangan pa mag-practice ng shooting. Kailangan magpunta ng maaga sa practice.”
Yap, however, was glad his teammates have stepped up in the first two wins to fill on his shooting slump as well as to their injured players in Raymond Almazan and Maverick Ahanmisi.
Consistent contributors for the Painters in the first two victories in the series were Rey Nambatac, Eduardo Daquioag, rookie Javee Mocon, Norbert Torres, Kris Rosales and Mark Borboran.
“Sabi ko sa kanila na pagdating sa ganitong sitwasyon kailangan ready lahat at kailangan magtulungan,” Yap said. “‘Di tayo magiging successful kung isang tao lang ‘yung gumagawa. Pagdating sa playoffs, kailangan tulungan.”
“Kailangan tulungan, team effort talaga. So buti naman nag-react, nakinig lahat and gumawa na kahit sinong hugutin ni coach nakaka-shoot. And sa depensa ready sila lahat,” he added.
Yap and the Painters are hoping to get back on the winning track in the race-to-four semifinals series resumes with Game 4 on Monday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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Phoenix Fuel Masters remains positive despite facing a 0-2 hole against the four-time defending champions San Miguel Beermen in their 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals.
Fuel Masters star guard Matthew Wright said that, even if they lose to Beermen in Game 2 on Monday evening, he is still glad that they are already regaining their form back.
“We looked like Phoenix (in Game 2). Last game we weren’t nearly as aggressive, we didn’t pressure the ball and we didn’t cause as many turnovers. (In Game 2) we actually played our game,” said Wright.
Wright said that they have the Holy Week break to figure out how they could maintain their dominance for the whole match after surrendering the lead in their 82-92 Game 2 loss.
“It was a frustrating loss, to say the least,” rued Wright. “I felt like we played well, especially in the first half. I felt like we got what we wanted to do on offense. Defensively we were really clicking.
“But then we just collapsed in the fourth in the last couple of minutes – we just crumbled, you know?” he added. “We showed our immaturity and they showed their championship pedigree.”
Fuel Masters will try to eat on the Beermen’s 2-0 series advantage when the league resumes from Holy Week break with a Game 3 on Easter Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum./PN
