ANTIPOLO – James Yap wants to impart to Blackwater the importance of not just winning on a consistent basis but reaching the PBA finals to the legacy of his teammates’ respective individual careers.
The two-time PBA MVP said his goal with the Bossing is to help the team reach the playoff round and eventually contend for the crown. Yap definitely hopes that his other teammates, especially the young players, have the same goal.
“Siyempre, ‘yung goal talaga is makapasok sa next round kasi ‘yung last conference, hindi maganda ‘yung standing namin,” said the 42-year-old Yap, referring to their 1-10 record in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Yap is off to a good start in his desire to reach that goal as Blackwater defeated Meralco, 96-93, fueled by the 27-point, 10-assist performance of fellow newly-acquired player Rey Nambatac.
Yap had five points including a three in 12 minutes of play for Blackwater in his first game with the Bossing, the third team of his storied PBA career.
For the goal of making it to the quarterfinals to be achieved, Yap said the team needs to not just play together but have the mindset of winning.
Yap emphasized that the standard for which a PBA player is still measured by championships, and not on the performance in the elimination round.
“’Yung goal na ‘yung gusto kong iparating din sa mga bata na we need to play as a team. Siyempre, eliminations, ibang-iba ‘yan eh. Okay, maganda laro mo sa eliminations, makakalimutan ng mga tao ‘yan. Pero kapag pumasok ka sa semis, finals, doon nakatutok sayo ‘yung mga tao,” said Yap.
“Kung gusto mo gumawa ng name sa PBA, gusto mong magkaroon ng reputation sa PBA, diyan tayo sa semis at sa finals, and diyan tayo mare-recognize ng mga teams kung pumapasok tayo ng finals o semifinals,” Yap said.
Yap, of course, knows what he is talking about, having seven championships to his name including a grand slam under Tim Cone during their days with San Mig Coffee in 2014. Yap also won four Finals MVP awards during that span.
Now at the tail-end of his career, Yap said he also wants to set an example for the Bossing.
“Sumisikat lang naman at nirerespeto ‘yung mga teams kung pumapasok sa semis at finals. Doon ka magkakaroon ng name. Kumbaga, individual at ‘yun ang matatandaan ng mga tao, kapag nag-champion ka, pumapasok ka sa semis, hindi ‘yung elimination.
“Kahit pa gaano ka kagaling sa eliminations, kapag hindi ka pumapasok, balewala ‘yun. ‘Yung ang goal namin. Next round,” Yap added.
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