MANILA, Philippines — Ten thousand career points and the win. What a night it could’ve been.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ James Yap had a chance to join an elite cast of cagers when the game against NLEX hung in the balance at 110. He had the leather in his big hands, after all. Only the shot, which he fired from almost from the top of the key didn’t go in.
Checking in at the final 2.3, James Yap shoots a triple for the win and his 10,000th point. No good. BUT we're going to OT. @StarSportsHub pic.twitter.com/07KJj9Jpsd
— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) July 26, 2017
“Ilan na ba?” Yap asked when asked for his thoughts on nearly breaching the mark.
“Three points away na lang ako? ‘Yun dapat ‘yung last shot. [Expletive], sayang,” he added with a big grin across his face.
But the Grand Slam guard and two-time PBA Most Valuable Player noted that he’s more bothered about the lapses his team committed late in the game.
The Painters ran out of gas when the game went to the second overtime and the 35-year-old veteran noted that the team is still adjusting to the system.
“[‘Yung] defense namin madaming lapses, mas lalo na noong crucial part,” Yap offered. “Kailangan namin ma-correct ’yun.”
And it’s also going to be harder in the coming games for Rain or Shine as they will be missing Gabe Norwood and Raymond Almazan to Gilas duties.
But going back on what could’ve been “The Shot,” Yap said, “Sa Ynares nalang!”
The 14-time All-Star had 14 points in that valiant stand against the Road Warriors.“Pero hindi ko dapat isipin ‘yun,” Yap said.
“Three points na lang tapos mamaya hindi pa tayo maka-shoot di ba? ’Yan ’yung mahirap, pag palapit nang palapit, minsan masama e. Magkaka-gigil pa. Na-experience na natin ’yan eh.”
The two-time Finals MVP will have a chance to snare the milestone when he and Rain or Shone takes on Meralco Bolts this Saturday in Antipolo.