JAMES Yap is so determined to get past top seed Barangay Ginebra and reach the Finals of the PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup that he has no concrete plans yet for Valentine’s Day.
“Wala,” said a smiling Yap when asked by a handful of sports scribes during the launching of the brand-new Virtual Sports Inc. sports management agency about going out on date on February 14, which also happens to be his birthday.
Yap and the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers are currently locked in a best-of-seven semifinal battle with the Gin Kings - a highly anticipated battle that many expect would go down to the wire.
And with the two-time league MVP eyeing a shot at the All-Filipino Cup title, Yap insisted he has no plans as of now for his first Valentine’s date with Italian girlfriend Michaella Cazzola since their relationship was made public last year.
“Focus muna sa laro. After na lang nito (playoffs),” said Yap.
If the best-of-seven series between San Mig and Ginebra goes the full route, chances of a Game Seven being played on February 14 is very possible, or if not, a Finals game will probably be held on the same date.
But Yap again insisted he is focused on the task at hand - winning the Philippine Cup championship.
“Mabilis lang ‘yan. Mahirap makarating sa playoffs kaya focus na muna tayo,” Yap said.
Making it to the Finals alone is like making it through the eye of the needle, Yap said, as he expects the Mixers to have a tough time against the Kings.
“Siyempre mahirap dahil alam naman natin ang Ginebra, hindi basta-basta papatalo ‘yan,” said the bachelor, whose marriage to TV host-actress Kris Aquino has been annulled.
The San Mig star still thinks Ginebra has the edge in the playoff owing to its height advantage behind the presence of big men Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter.
“We need to play as a team sa defense kasi malalaki ang Ginebra. Magandang laban ito at siguradong maraming masisiyahan,” Yap said.
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