Player of the Week: Big Game James

About a month a half ago, new B-Meg head coach Tim Cone was quoted to have said that James Yap will flourish in the triangle offense that he has long been preaching. It may have taken a while but that certainly is what is already happening right now at the Llamados’ camp.

The two-time MVP lived up to his “Big Game James” monicker, coming up with huge games for B-Meg this past week as the Llamados stretched their winning streak to three in the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup.

As a result, the PBA Press Corps has named him its Accel Player of the Week for the period November 7 to 13.

James Yap first sizzled with 25 points, 11 right in the opening period, as B-Meg exacted revenge on Meralco and former head coach Ryan Gregorio last Friday 95-79 at the Cuneta Astrodome. James added four rebounds, two assists and one shotblock while going 2-of-4 from three-point range as the Llamados got back at the Bolts who won their first meeting 84-78 last Oct. 15.

After just a two-day rest, James Yap followed it up with a 24-point effort last Sunday as the Llamados beat Cone’s former team, Alaska, for the second time in the conference 92-89 in double overtime last Sunday.

James again provided the initial spark with 10 points in the opening period. Then just when everybody thought fatigue had caught up with him as he came with just a combined six points in the final three quarters and in the first overtime, James exploded four eight markers in the second extra period, going 4-for-4 from the field as B-Meg, which was playing minus an injured PJ Simon, finished off the Aces.

“James has that unique ability to put his whole team on his back and carry them to victory. He can score and make tough shots against great defense and that is demoralizing for the opposing team,” said Cone, adding he knows that by heart.

“I know because I use to be against him, and I’m just glad I’m on his side now,” a happy Cone explained.

For his part, James Yap is only too glad the Llamados, who have upped their record to 5-4 from a dismal 2-4 start, are finally clicking and thriving under the new system of Cone.

“Masaya siyempre dahil nagbubunga na yung mga paghihirap namin.  Sana magtuloy-tuloy na,” said James of the team’s current success.

On his winning Player of the Week honors, he said, “Kung ito yung pruweba na makakapag-adjust na nga hindi lang ako kundi ang buong team sa triangle offense ni coach Tim sana mas mag-improve pa kami lalo. Pasalamat talaga ako kay coach Tim sa tiyaga niya sa pagturo sa amin ng triangle.”

James Yap beat teammate Kerby Raymundo and Petron Blaze stalwarts Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot for Player of the Week honors.(pr)

‘The Ninja’ strikes

WHAT makes Petron Blaze extra dangerous is the ability of most of its players to step up when the occasion calls for it.

Joseph Yeo reiterated that fact by scattering 27 points in leading the Boosters to a much-needed win, thus earning for himself the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period Oct. 31 to Nov. 6.

The output, spiked by eight rebounds and four assists, helped Petron notch an 86-80 win over Alaska at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday.

Going into that game the Boosters have lost three straight and were without injured off-guard Chris Lutz, who has started in place of Dondon Hontiveros, in turn out for at least the conference because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The man known as “The Ninja” did not disappoint as he scored 13 points right in the first quarter and 11 in the payoff period, including the insurance lay-in basket that gave the Boosters an 84-80 lead, time down to just 34 seconds.

“Talagang napakalaking bagay ang ginawa ni Joseph dahil butas na butas kami sa 2-position,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin. “Ipinakita niya na hindi sayang iyung pagtitiwala namin sa kanya.”

It was the highest output by the former De La Salle standout since moving over to the team formerly known as San Miguel Beer during the 2009-10 season.

It was also sort of unexpected since Yeo, drafted third overall by Coca-Cola in the 2006 draft and who has strutted his wares with Sta. Lucia Realty, was averaging just 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per outing.

“Kaya naman tuwang-tuwa talaga kami dahil ang mga players naming tulad ni Joseph kapag kailangang kailangan nag-de-deliver,” noted Agustin.

The win improved Petron’s record to 4-3. More important, it seemed to have restored the bearing and confidence the team needs for that push going into the last half of its elimination round assignments.  

Based on his latest performance, Yeo is sure to be an integral part of that drive.(pr)

David shows sterner stuff

IF one’s character is gauged by how he bounces back from adversity, then Gary David is indeed setting a high enough standard.

The fiery shooting guard rebounded big-time from two sorry games to set a new career milestone, boost Powerade past a feared foe and earn for himself the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period Oct. 24 to 30.

The 33-year-old scattered a career-high 42 points against the Petron Blaze Boosters last Sunday in leading the Tigers to a 108-94 win that cut short their two-game skid caused, as most think, by David unusually failing to rise to the occasion.

In an 80-97 loss to B-Meg last Wednesday, David was held to just seven points, the first time in the last five conferences or since he returned in the 2009-10 season to the franchise that picked him at 10^th overall in the 2004 Draft that the prolific scorer was limited to a single-digit number.

Versus Barangay Ginebra, the league scoring champion the past two seasons hastened their sorry 72-73 downfall with two missed charities in the last 12 seconds.

The manner his star player put those pitiful outings behind him pleased Powerade coach Bo Perasol no end.

“For a player to rise up from two heartbreaking games and score 42 points against a formidable opponent like Petron, it really highlights what a gem of a player Gary David is,” said Perasol.

“It is just fitting that he should be recognized. Well deserved.”

David said his teammates never gave up on him and a welcome advice from some family members didn't hurt either.

“Pinayuhan ako ng mga pinsan ko na kalimutan ko iyung last two games na ‘yon,” he related. “Kinalimutan ko at mukhang nakatulong naman.”

It clearly showed as he went 4-of-6 from the three-point area, 11-of-13 from the two-point zone and 8-of-10 from the stripes. He also added seven rebounds and four assists and committed just two turnovers in 38 minutes.(pr)

Mark the transformer

MARK Caguioa’s growth as a player has been clearly evident in the PBA
Commissioner’s Cup and Barangay Ginebra is all the better because of it.
With the man primarily known before as a scorer now fully evolved into a team
man as well, the Kings have sustained their rise to near the top of the
standings and in a very good position to clinch one of the six playoff spots up
for grabs in the mid-season tourney.
Nobody has a clearer view of what the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week
for the period March 14 to 20 has recently done than Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

“He has been a great transformation player, from a scorer to a playmaker who can
score. That’s evolution in terms of basketball,” noted Uichico of the man
instrumental in stoking their winning streak to three.
In the Kings’ 99-86 victory over Air21 followed by a 106-94 triumph over San
Miguel Beer, Caguioa averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5
steals while coming off the bench each time.
What made the man nicknamed “The Spark” earn the scribes’ nod over Powerade’s
Gary David was Caguioa’s  ability to still ignite – and even stoke – whatever
run Ginebra may need, like in the game against SMB last Sunday.
Caguioa picked up from where Nate Brumfield left off by scoring 10 straight
points as he single-handedly put away what had been a 96-91 game.
Caguioa seems to be enjoying more his reliever’s role, a job he has had their
last five games, as he also had 14 points and six rebounds against Air21 last
Wednesday.
Those back-to-back victories and three-game streak put Ginebra at 4-2 and in a
tie for third-running spot with Alaska behind unbeaten leader Smart-Gilas and
Talk N Text (5-1).
With only three games left in the eliminations, Uichico wants his players to
continue bringing their A-game as they continue striving for a top-tier spot.
For sure, Caguioa aims to do just that.(pr)