ANTIPOLO CITY - Rain or Shine star James Yap is hoping for the best after sustaining a groin injury midway through their game against Phoenix in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at Ynares Sports Center.
Yap immediately asked to be substituted when he felt the pain with 7:29 in the third quarter and headed straight to the locker room.
Before his exit, the Rain or Shine gunner already had 15 points. As much as he wanted to continue, Yap feared things would get even worse if he doesn't take a precaution.
“Biglang sumakit ang groin. ‘Di ko na lang pinilit dahil baka mapunit eh,” he said. “Na-feel ko talaga pag pinilit ko pa mapupunit talaga.”
“Alam ko pag groin, kapag napunit masyado matagal kaya ‘di ko na lang [pinilit], nagpa-sub na lang ako,” he said.
Yap is keeping a positive mindset despite the situation.
“Baka naiiwan sa workout eh, ‘di ko nawo-workout masyado ‘yung groin ko kaya baka kailangan i-work out lahat ng part ng legs,” he said. “’Yun ‘yung sinabi rin ng PT [physical therapist] namin at tsaka ‘yung trainer.”
Yap still had a reason to be happy in the end as Rain or Shine beat Phoenix, 89-82, to even their record at 2-2.
“Buti nanalo. Thank you sa mga teammates ko, binigyan nila ako ng bonus," said the two-time league MVP.
He will see a doctor on Tuesday to have his injury checked.
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