Yap went back to basics — taking his shots without hesitation — which helped him build up confidence after going 2-of-24 in his first two outings.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga teammates ko kasi binibigyan nila ako ng kumpiyansa. Sini-set up nila ako, kahit sa practice, hinahanap nila ako,” Yap told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview.
“Ganito naman sa team namin, kung sino yung nag-struggle, talagang ini-encourage nila.”
San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone said the coaching staff didn’t draw up anything specific for Yap, but it was the rest of the Mixers who decided to try to feed him.
“The guys really tried to look for James tonight,” said Cone.
Yap said the return of rebounder Marc Pingris helped him regain his mindset of shooting without a conscience.
“Sinasabihan nila ako na tumira lang. Si Ping madalas niya ako sabihan na tumira lang, ako ang bahala sa rebound, so blessed ako to have a teammate like Ping,” said Yap.
“Yung mga tira ko past two games parang hesitant ako feeling ko ang dami ko na naitira. Pero ngayon inilagay ko sa isip ko na kapag open ako titira ako, miss kung miss.”
But beyond confidence, Cone credited Yap for working hard to break out of his slump.
“He stepped up his energy, he stepped up his level of play,” said Cone.
“The work ethic in practice was phenomenal.”
Cone hopes Yap could keep up the production, especially with opponents gunning for him with his reputation as the face of the PBA.
“People measure themselves by how well they defend him,” said Cone. “He’s gotta lift the level of his game to meet the challenges.”
Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/james-yap-credits-support-of-san-mig-coffee-mates-return-of-marc-pingris-for-end-of-slump
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