James Yap completed what Peter June Simon started off as Derby Ace bucked off losing a 17-point first quarter lead to turn back Barangay Ginebra, 96-89, Sunday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Simon scored seven of his 20 points in a two-minute span to put the Llamados in front, 87-85, before Yap came in and took over the game.
The two-time PBA Most Valuable Player hit five of his 25 markers inside the final two minutes, including the dagger trey that stretched the lead to 94-87 with 46 seconds left.
The Llamados have now evened their record at 2-2 following a 121-92 rout of Air21 last week.
“Malaking tulong talaga si PJ sa amin dahil nag step up siya especially nung wala ako," said Yap. “Kaya nung pumasok ako, turn ko naman to step up for the team."
Yap also had three assists, a block, and surprisingly, 10 rebounds, none more important than the offensive rebound he grabbed on a missed shot by Shamari Spears, leading to an easy putback and giving the Llamados an 89-85 lead.
Spears finished with 21 points and got a possible second lease on life with the Llamados.
“Magandang panalo para sa amin ito dahil mataas ang kumpiyansa ng team ngayon," said Yap as the Llamados look forward to the possible return of star center Kerby Raymundo by next week.
Derby Ace jumped the gun early, racing to a 26-9 lead late in the first quarter.
But the Kings settled down in the second, cutting the deficit to a manageable 42-38 count at the break.
Ginebra then took the lead for the first time at 49-48 on a jump shot by JC Intal at the 6:59 mark of the third.
With import Nate Brumfield powering his way inside and Willie Miller scoring on spectacular shots, the Kings soared to an 81-74 lead as the Llamados appeared to have lost steam.
Spears, however, led Derby Ace back, in tandem with Simon. A booming three-pointer and a turnaround jumper off Ronald Tubid by the sweet-shooting guard capped an 11-2 run by the Llamados to surge ahead for good.
The Kings, who suffered their second straight loss for a 1-2 card, threatened for the last time at 91-87 on a split charity by Mark Caguioa, but Yap drained the three-pointer that proved to be the final nail on Ginebra’s coffin.
Brumfield again topscored for Ginebra with 29 points, mostly coming from the shaded lane. But the import shot only 13-of-21 from the free throw line.
Caguioa added 16 points and Willie Wilson contributed 10 while leading that big Ginebra comeback in the second period. - KY, RCJ, GMA News
source: gmanews.tv
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