big game james

i really feel sorry for James Yap. i don't think a lot of people, save for the basketball fanatics, appreciate just how good a player this guy is. to most Filipinos he's just the husband of Kris Aquino who happens to play basketball.

back when i was in high school, it was his type of play that initially drew me to watch the UAAP.

the first live collegiate game i ever saw was a UE game. it was held at the blue eagle gym, and it was the dynamic duo of James Yap and Paul Artadi that powered the Red Warriors to win over whoever they were against. i remember sitting near the court, and was just amazed at how good this guy can shoot. he was MVP of that season, by the way.

tonight, while watching the PBA finals between Purefoods (where yap and artadi play) and Alaska (where former blue eagles LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier play), i found myself in awe once again at the skills of "Big Game" James. if you look at him move through the screens, watch him work the play, get the ball, dribble, skip, crossover, jump, take a hit, then bank the one-hander in. and one.

deeeym this guy is good.

it really is rare for me to sing praises about a local basketball player, but James Yap deserves this rare mention. and as i publish this article, Purefoods will win the first game of the finals with Yap as their biggest contributor.