Yap is keys Llamados' resurgence

Former MVP named PBA Player of the Week. Even with the shooting struggles of James Yap in the first three months of the PBA Fiesta Cup, coach Ryan Gregorio of B-Meg Derby Ace has kept his faith on his superstar guard.

“As I’ve said, he will figure things out by himself,” Gregorio said of Yap, who was instrumental in the Llamados’ back-to-back wins last week, including a nail-biting 83-82 victory over defending champion San Miguel Beer last Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

“He is spending extra time to work on his shots. He is peaking at the right time,” Gregorio added.

B-Meg’s latest win improved the reigning Philippine Cup champion’s win-loss record to 9-5 which allowed them to move to solo third, behind San Miguel’s 11-3 and powerhouse Talk ’N Text’s 12-2 card.

Yap scored 23 points against the Beermen, including a tough jumper with 6.7 seconds to play, which propelled the Llamados to victory. Last Wednesday in a 73-66 win against Sta. Lucia Realty, he had 21 points.

After averaging just 16.9 in the first 12 games, Yap increased his numbers to 22 points in the last two wins of B-Meg League observers said Yap’s struggles could be traced to his hectic schedule since the campaign started for the presidential elections.

However, when the campaign ended, Yap, who is married to TV host Kris Aquino, youngest sister of President in-waiting Benigno Aquino III, was able to take a full rest and concentrate on his game during practice sessions.

“I am glad that he has picked up his scoring,” Gregorio said.

“James has bailed us out of trouble with his big games and trademark big shots to secure our victory in this crucial part of the semis. He was incredible in our last two wins. He carried us on his shoulders with his magnificent display of offensive arsenal.”

“I went to him almost exclusively in the end and he did not fail us by scoring our last five points punctuated by the short jumper to give us the lead (with 6.7 seconds left),” Gregorio added.

The win put B-Meg Derby Ace on track for one of two outright semifinal berths in the Fiesta Cup. The Llamados (formerly Purefoods Giants) are aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back titles in a single season since the PBA adopted the two-conference format in 2004.

After winning the Best Player of the Conference, Yap helped B-Meg bag the previous Philippine Cup with a sweep over Alaska, and in the way taking the Finals MVP award.