THE details were blurry, but coach Yeng Guiao remembered being left dumbfounded the moment he heard the news of the James Yap-Paul Lee swap.
“Nagulat talaga ako,” he recounted of the blockbuster 2016 trade.
Just eight days after he left the confines of Rain or Shine for NLEX, Guiao was caught off-guard by the news that his former team had decided to blow up the Elasto Painters’ championship-winning core, starting with the Lee trade.
If that was not surprising enough, Guiao was stunned to know that Yap - like Lee considered the face of his Purefoods franchise - was involved in what was easily the biggest trade of the decade.
“Nakakagulat talaga kasi James is the staple sa Star (now-Magnolia) and Paul is the staple in Rain or Shine. Talagang kapag ganoon na mukha ng team yung ite-trade, ang hirap na iimagine na nasa ibang team sila eh, pero it happened,” Guiao said.
Lee admitted he didn't expect Yap to be traded by his former team.
“Hindi ko alam kung sino yung ka-trade ko. Ang alam ko lang is mapupunta ako sa Star Hotshots. So naisip ko kaagad kung sino yung mga nandoon at na-excite ako sa mga makakasama ko doon dahil magiging part ako ng grand slam team nila," said Lee.
"Then biglang yung ibang kaibigan ko, sinabi na si James nga yung kapalit ko. Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala,” he said.
The two are both former stars of the University of the East program and their pro careers have seen them always on opposite sides. But that blockbuster trade made sure the two popular players' careers are forever intertwined.
Now their first-ever team-up as part of the hastily assembled national team for the 2018 Asian Games gives their story another unexpected but welcome twist.
“Of course, I’m very happy kasi di mo naman alam kung kailan ka magkakaroon ng chance na maging kakampi yung James Yap ulit eh," said Lee. "At least sa career ko, masasabi ko na dumaan yung time na naging magkakampi kami.
"Ie-enjoy ko ito. I’m just very happy and honored na we’re in the same team,” Lee added.
Yap said that from the time he first saw Lee as the cornerstone of the UE Red Warriors teams in the UAAP in the late 2000s, he had no doubt that the bull-strong guard from Tondo was bound to make his own mark in the PBA.
“Kapag napapanood ko maglaro si Paul dati, sinasabi ko sa sarili ko na itong batang ito, malayo ang mararating nito dahil magaling eh,” he said.
Lee’s wasn't as sure.
“Siguro nung mga time na yun, parang hindi ko pa naiisip yung PBA kasi kahit papano, kahit na anong sabihin mo na pinakita mo sa UAAP, iba pa rin pag nasa PBA ka na eh,” he said. “Sa akin lang, kung may opportunity, I just grab it.”
Lee was picked second overall by Rain or Shine in the 2011 PBA rookie draft, the same spot where Yap was selected by Purefoods back in 2004.
Since then, the two has had numerous battles as they found themselves in the middle of the rivalry between Purefoods and Rain or Shine. Lee’s team won the 2012 Governors’ Cup against Purefoods, but Yap’s San Mig Coffee won their finals match-up in the 2014 Philippine and Governors’ Cups on their way to a rare Grand Slam.
No wonder they're both happy to be on the same side for a change.
“Actually, kung ano man ang nangyari sa amin sa PBA, pagdating dito sa national team, ibang usapan na yun eh. Magtutulungan na kami at di na namin iisipin yung mga bagay na yun, na na-trade kami sa isa’t isa,” he said. “Ang iniisip namin kung paano manalo para maging proud tayo sa bansa natin.”
Yap also believes the partnership will be a source of pride for UE, saying, “I’m sure proud din ang mga tiga-UE sa amin sa mga na-accomplish namin.”
No one's happier to see them together than Guiao.
Asked to compare the two, the veteran coach said: "The similarity between the two of them is that they’re competitors. They're high IQ basketball players. (Pero) 'yung style nila, medyo magkaiba.
“James is a shooter first then a scorer after. Si Paul is a scorer first then a shooter after. Paul can play 1 and 2, James will not play that position but he will always be a floor spacer and a threat with his outside shooting."
Guiao emphasized the importance of having leaders like Yap and Lee in his team, saying it makes the job of preparing the team for the Asiad much easier.
“At 8 p.m. going to 10 p.m., pagod na tayo. Pagod na ang mga players dahil marami din silang iniintindi at mga inaasikaso. But one thing that keeps you excited and keeps you energized kahit na gabi is yung nakikita mo yung team na ang galing ng mga players at ang sarap i-coach nito,” he said.
More importantly, the two, Guiao said, genuinely like each other.
“They have a natural chemistry with each other and I think they know that," said the multi-titled coach. "If you like each other, you’re gonna play better and I’m really lucky na may ganoon itong team na ito.”
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