But for the two-time MVP and probably one of the most lethal offensive players in the league, detractors are a barometer of success. And in his team’s case today, added motivation.
an ako affected,” said Yap in an interview with Solar Sports Desk.
“Pag naapektuhan ka kasi nila mas makukuha nila ang purpose nila,” said the two-time MVP with a smile. “Sa ngayon ang focus ko is to help our team win.”
And just this Monday afternoon, Yap joined fellow Mixer Marc Pingris in a special appearance at top rating noon-time show, Eat Bulaga, where an ailing fan requested to meet them in person.
The said segment was part of the show’s popular segment - Juan for All, All for Juan - where the San Mig duo gave away jerseys, signed balls, shoes and pangkabuhayan showcase to a young fan named Robbie.
Yap also invited fan to a VIP seat in their game against Alaska Aces on March 6.
“Isa talaga siya sa pinakasikat na player ngayon ng PBA, 1 or 2 yun. Palitan sila sa pwesto ni Mark Caguioa? Sino pa ba ang pwede mong ilinya sa harap nila?” said Willie Marcial, PBA Media Bureau chief.
Marcial is also happy that mainstream programs like Eat Bulaga are now inviting again PBA players in different entertainment programs, something that was very popular back in the gloray days of Philippine basketball when players even take lead roles in some films like Last 2 Minutes, Shoot Dat Bol, Wooly Bully and Dunkin Donato.
In the most recent Metro Manila Film Festival, a number of current PBA stars like Pingris, Ronald Tubid and Jun-Jun Cabatu had a cameo role in Si Agimat, Si Enteng at Ako.
The amiable PBA official also told Solar Sports Desk that the PBA is always to accommodate guestings of players in different shows, provided that it will not be in conflict with team practice and schedule.
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Escalante, Negros Occidental native is also rallying his teammates to continue on with the new-found grit, especially now that they’re coming off an impressive 90-82 win against heavily-favored Talk n’ Text Tropang Texters, that arrested their poor 0-3 start.
“Distracted ang team ngayon, pero kailangan talagang mabalik yung focus namin at kalimutan yung bad start namin,” stressed the soft-spoken Yap.
Averaging close to 30 minutes a game, Yap only played for 17 minutes Sunday night because of a still painful hip plexor injury that slowed him down Friday against the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.
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