JAMES Yap said he is still adjusting to new Star coach Jason Webb’s system despite a solid performance in the Hotshots’ 96-87 loss to Rain or Shine on opening night of PBA Season 41 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After all, the resurgent Hotshots superstar mustered just two points in the second half after flaunting the full range of his arsenal early with 13 first-half points.
“Hindi pa (fully adjusted),” said Yap, who made just 7-of-18 shots in 31 minutes. “Nasa stage pa rin na nag-aadjust, pero konting adjustment na lang.”
[See Rain or Shine opens season oin style as Star fades in the end]
Yap admitted he and the rest of the team faded in the endgame.
“Syempre kailangan i-sustain yung energy kasi run-and-gun,” he added. “Nung fourth quarter, talagang nawala yung sistema eh. Nagkanya-kanya kami.”
“Ganun naman talaga eh, normal yun na ganun dahil bago pa yung sistema,” Yap, who played four years under the triangle offense of former coach Tim Cone, was quick to add. “Sana makuha namin next game."
The Hotshots next face former coach Tim Cone and Barangay Ginebra on Sunday.
Yap also rued some “missed calls” as part of the new officiating.
“Okay naman, pero marami lang missed calls,” he said. “Pero ganun naman talaga eh, first game.”
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