Moving past PBA great Ronnie Magsanoc for No. 3 spot in the league’s all-time three-pointers made was the least of concern for Negrense James Yap of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
The Escalante City, Negros Occidental-native Yap surpassed Magsanoc after draining a three-pointer in the Painters’ 90-88 defeat to Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday.
“Isang award na medyo mahirap makuha dahil sa kailangan medyo mahaba ‘yung playing years mo,” Yap said. “Hindi ko naman iniisip na darating ‘yung ganung milestone sa career ko.”
“Lahat naman ng na-achieve ko, hindi ko iniisip. Kumbaga kusa na lang silang dumarating. So laro lang ako, bahala na kung makuha ko o hindi basta gawin ko lang ‘yung part ko sa team, ‘yung scoring ko,” he added.
The two-time PBA MVP Yap now has 1,172 three-pointers made in his career just behind former PBA MVP Jimmy Alapag, who topped the list with 1,250 and legendary Allan Caidic with 1,242 outside hits.
Painters head coach Caloy Garcia lauded Yap for achieving the feat, but he hopes the Negrense sniper to continue regaining his shooting touch as they have a twice-to-win disadvantage over No. 1 seed Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the quarterfinals.
“Ever since we entered the bubble, may nararamdaman siya. We couldn’t maximize him every game. If you noticed, sa mga ibang games he only played 15 minutes kasi ayaw namin ma-injure siya,” Garcia said.
“And we were looking at the long run kasi mas kailangan namin sa playoffs talaga si James,” he added.
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A PBA team that underperformed in the just-concluded elimination round of 2020 PBA Philippine Cup has hinted of massive changes during the offseason.
According to a source of Buzzer Beater on Thursday, the changes in the squad, most likely player trades, will take place after the Christmas season.
“Patatapusin lang ang Pasko at magkakaroon talaga ng rigodon sa team,” said the source. “Hindi kasi na-meet ang expectations especially last conference naman maganda ang takbo ng team.”
“May halong malas din kasi hindi sila nakumpleto sa PBA bubble. Laging may injuries. Kumpletos rekados na sana ang mga bata eh,” the source added./PN
