James Yap’s entry into 10,000-point club delayed with RoS’ ouster

MANILA, Philippines — The applause and recognition will have to wait. For a couple of weeks, that is.

With Rain or Shine again getting the boot early in the playoffs, James Yap’s inclusion to the PBA’s 10,000-point club is going to be delayed.

Bowing to his former team Star Hotshots, 69-84, in Game Two of the conference quarterfinals, the league’s former Most Valuable Player wasn’t able to breach the five-digit mark. He was only able to register eight points in the Painters’ low-scoring performance.

But the 6-foot-3 guard, who has been at the summit of the PBA over and over again, shared that he is not bothered in being unable to snare the milestone.

“Honestly, ‘di ko naman talaga iniisip ‘yon,” he told reporters. “Darating na lang ‘yun kung darating. Hindi man natin nakuha this quarterfinals, meron pa namang next conference.”

Before the playoffs, Yap needed only 27 points to reach the target. In the Painters’ Game One loss, he was only able to tally five.

Rain or Shine has missed its second semifinals since the decorated Yap joined his team. It is also the team’s fourth straight loss at the hands of Star.

Asked if he is bearing any hint of dispiritedness toward his team’s inability to go further, the Grand Slam champion was quick to say otherwise.

“Basta alam mo sa sarili mo na binigay mo yung best mo … isipin mo nalang binigay mo best mo.” he offered. “Kahit anong mangyari kung talo, talo talaga,” added Yap.

“Kami naman, I think binigay rin namin ‘yung best namin. Kaso kinapos lang talaga. Charge to experience,” the  35-year-old and 14-time PBA All-Star said.