Roger Yap: We're here for business

CEBU, Philippines - After learning of M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala's 20-point demolition of the Alaska Aces last week, Cebuano hardcourt star Roger Yap gamely admitted that they felt a bit embarrassed and ashamed being part of the highly-respected PBA institution. Now that it's their turn to clash head-on with Cebu's legendary squad, Yap firmly declared they are here on a business and that they will carry PBA's pride when the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants take on the M. Lhuillier-backed Cebu Niños in a charity exhibition match beginning at 7:00 tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.

"We are here to play and not on a vacation. We will give our best so that the Cebuanos will enjoy the match," said Yap in a press conference arranged by OverCoffee Management. Inc. yesterday at the Old Spaghetti House in SM City-Cebu.

"In every game we take, we always mean business. That's the order of our coach (Ryan Grerogio). We play to win," added Yap.

Yap's teammate Niño "KG" Canaleta, nicknamed "The Flying Carpet" in the pro league, said they too were ashamed after hearing the news of M. Lhuillier's 75-55 annihilation of the Aces.

"Nong nabalitaan namin na tinambakan ng 20 points ang Alaska dito sa Cebu, nahiya rin kami kasi PBA team dapat may pride. Parang nag-relax yung Alaska," said the former University of the East (UE) Red Warrior.

Yap, on the other hand, said he is very thrilled seeing action for the first time before his Cebuano fans as a pro.

"I'm so excited because I've been in the PBA for nine years and this is the first time that I will be playing before my fellow Cebuanos," said Yap, who once suited up for the Cebu Polytechnic College (CPC) Hawks and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars during his collegiate days in the defunct Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (now the CESAFI).

In their Cebu tour of duty, Yap and Canaleta will show their stuff alongside Rommel Adducul, Marc Pingris, Paul Artadi, Don Allado, Peter June Simon, Jondan Salvador, Jonathan Fernandez, and rookies Chris Timberlake and Rico Maierhoffer.

Cebu has a special place in Pingris' heart having donned the Gems' uniform during the shortlived MBA league. He is also married to Danica Sotto, who traces their family roots in the Queen City of the South.

Although upbeat on their winning chances, the visiting Giants should not underestimate the Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba, who are riding on the crest of their back-to-back leg championship in the Smart-Liga Pilipinas Conference III.

Among the lethal weapons in M. Lhuillier's offensive arsenal are Bruce Dacia, Stephen Padilla, Woodrow Enriquez and Marlon Basco. They can also count on Abby Santos, Ariel Mepaña, Richard Ian Saladaga, Jonas Ababon, and Franklin Nailon.

Co-presented by Mega C Health Ventures, Inc. and Radical Ads in partnership with KFC, dyAB Cebu Radyo Patrol, MOR 97.1 FM, Cebu Parklane International Hotel, Nature's Spring, and San Miguel Beer, the fund-raising event is for the benefit of Rise Above Foundation (formerly Channel of Hope). – Emmanuel B. Villaruel (THE FREEMAN)