LIKE any good shooter, James Yap said his Game Seven explosion was all about confidence.
After hitting his first two shots from beyond the three-point arc during the first few minutes of the game, San Mig's two-time league MVP and resident star said his shooting touch felt good that he decided to just keep firing - and hitting the mark.
Yap went on to finish with a personal season-high of 30 points while going 7-of-10 from beyond the arc just three days before his 32nd birthday, leading San Mig past an outplayed Barangay Ginebra, 110-87, and into the PBA Philippine Cup Finals opposite Rain or Shine.
“Yung unang bato, di ba pumasok? Pangalawang bato pumasok uli, so kumpiyansa lang. Then, nagkakataon nali-libre pa ako sa three points,” said Yap after his phenomenal shooting performance before a record crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Yap said he’s well aware that his shooting has not been that consistent in a conference where he has been hampered by a painful elbow in his shooting arm. Yet, he just kept polishing his shot, knowing that soon his shots will start to fall in a game.
“Iyun ang pina-practice ko (three-point shooting) everyday na may nakabalot (sa hand ko),” Yap said, pointing to his right elbow, which he wraps with an elastic rubber support to protect his nagging elbow injury.
“Pero basta magkaroon ng chance na libre ako sa three-points, ganun naman sa basketball, tira lang, kahit miss pa 'yan, basta libre, i-tira,” added the San Mig superstar.
San Mig has one day to prepare before facing Rain or Shine in game One of their best-of-seven championship series on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.