Tim Cone is ‘world’s foremost apostle’ of triangle offense, says US sports website

It is no secret that Tim Cone has been preaching the triangle offense for years, and its success has been proven by the numerous championships that made him the winningest coach in PBA history.

And Cone’s mastery of the offense hasn’t gone unnoticed as the international media recognized his coaching. In a special feature about the triangle offense, SBNation’s Mike Prada and Doug Eberhardt named the two-time Grand Slam coach as the “world’s foremost apostle” of the system.

“The world’s foremost apostle for the Triangle offense does not coach in the NBA. He doesn’t coach in college or American high school, either. He doesn’t coach in the United States at all,” Prada and Eberhardt wrote to start their piece. “His name is Tim Cone.”

In the article, Cone also recalled how as a young PBA coach in the early 1990s learned the Triangle through recording every Chicago Bulls game while he was living near the US military bases.

“I went full bore on the offense in 1993, but unfortunately, I was teaching it at the same time I was learning it,” Cone said according to the SBNation piece. “It was our worst year ever. But the next year, 1994, was our best year ever. I’ve been running the triangle ever since.”

Prada and Eberhardt went on to discuss the intricacies of the triangle and why, despite legendary coach Phil Jackson’s success with it, the offense hasn’t become popular in the NBA.

Read the full piece here

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/tim-cone-is-worlds-foremost-apostle-of-triangle-offense-says-us-sports-website

10 Things We Should Know About Alvin Patrimonio

10 Things We Should Know About Alvin Patrimonio

 

1. He actually did not make the cut for De La Salle University and San Beda College basketball teams, and at one point did not pass the tryouts for RP youth under-18 team.
2. His number 16 was his father's number who played college ball in JRC.

3. Some of his loyal fans kiss(smack) him on the lips.

4. On what made his wife Cindy stand out among all the girls he met when he was single: ''Nakita ko sa kanya that she would be my life-long partner at nag-decide ako na siya na.''

5. On James Yap being this generation's face of Purefoods: ''Natutuwa ako na meron ng 'following in your footsteps,' yun bang pwede mo nang ipasa yung baton to him.''

6. During the much-talked-about P25 million contract offered by Pepsi, he actually signed the offer. However, Purefoods matched the offer.

7. His movie last 2 Minutes, in which he starred alongside Paul Alvarez, Jerry Codinera and Roderick Paulate, was a top grosser in the 1989 MMFF.

8. Alvin by the numbers:
191 centimetes in height
17.6 points per game his entire career.
30,478 minutes played in 17 seasons

9. Despite his busy schedules, he always makes time for his family and even takes his daughters on one-on-one dates.

10. Beyond enjoying a successful career and family life, there's one thing he is possibly looking forward to: the world of politics.

(from Phil Star, compiled collections of Bianca Gonzalez's 10 things column, Nov. 18, 2012)
 

TEAM PAASA version 2.0

TEAM PAASA version 2.0

By:
Rosell DY Mallari

 

Lakas trip nanaman ng San Mig noh? pinapaasa nanaman nila kalaban...tapos ilalampaso din naman sa huli...nakakaawa naman yung kalaban...umaasa sa wala.... Yan sila eh! At tayong mga fans sanay na sanay na dyan!

Ok isa-isahin ulit natin ang mga rason kung bakit mananalo ang San Mig bukas...

#1 COACH TIM CONE - need pa ba iexplain? o sabihin ko na lang yung number ----> 17 ‪#‎AlamNa‬

#2 JAMES YAP - BIG GAME nga eh! eh ano ba ang Do or Die? diba BIG GAME yun? ‪#‎ilistaNa‬

#3 MARC PINGRIS - in short --> ‪#‎PUSO‬! dami nag-aabang ng promise nito...pero naka-ilang promise na ba si Ping sa atin? ni minsan naman di nya tayo binigo dba? kaya ngayon wala man syang sabihing salita, dapat magtiwala parin tayo sa kanya!Sya si SAKURAGI ang HARI NG REBOUND!

#4 MARK BARROCA - ‪#‎CoffeeKing‬ ‪#‎Mr4thQuarter‬ mapapangiti nanaman si Coach Tim bukas...dahil BARROCA TIME NA!

#5 MARQUS BLAKELY - ay mali ulit....

#5 80% MARQUS BLAKELY - yes..80%.. di ko sinasabi toh para gawing dahilan kung bakit tayo natalo...sinasabi ko toh kasi proud ako kay Blakely at sa buong team! Yes, di natin nakikita yung Blakely na nakita natin last year..pero sya parin si ‪#‎MREVERYTHING‬ who's getting a lot of help from the locals!

#6 PJ SIMON - Kahit ilang beses sya mag-struggle SOBRANG DAMI parin ang umaasa na bukas mag-dedeliver sya ng mga ‪#‎PerfectJumper‬ nya!

#7 JOE DEVANCE - His unpredictable passing...his consistent shooting...The ‪#‎WalkingMismatch‬ of the PBA! Baka nakakalimutan nyo nag-ala IMPORT na yan!

#8 IAN SANGALANG - Disqualified daw sa ROY yan...di naman kasi sya rookie... BETERANO NA SYA! Ilang finals na ba naman na-experience nya since college...pag pasok ng PBA 3 straight finals pa...wala na talaga binatbat lahat ng rookies sa kanya! Bukas change surname nanaman sya‪#‎SangaLing‬!

#9 DEEPER BENCH ----> Rafi Reavis, Justin Melton, Allein Maliksi, Yousef Taha and opkors my ALEX MALLARI! Sila yung nagbibigay ng extra‪#‎ENERGY‬ ... dahil sa kanila kaya nakakapahinga ang starters para fresh sa 4th quarter 

#10 POISE
#11 TEAM CHEMISTRY
#12 EXPERIENCE
#13 GreatEST Coaching Staff
#14 Incomparable Management Support 
#15 PERFECT TRIANGLE OFFENSE
#16 Sticky DEFENSE ‪#‎DepensangSanMig‬ ‪#‎DepensangDikya‬

at ang pinaka-importante sa lahat......

WALANG MAYABANG NA SAN MIG PLAYER! yan ang kaibahan nila sa ROS o sa ibang team sa PBA! At yan ang dahilan kaya sila pinag-papala at pinapanigan ng nasa ITAAS!

Kaya mga Ka-PLANETA...gawin natin ang part natin... Sama sama natin sila ipagdasal! Grabe na yung hirap na dinaanan nila...ngayon pa ba natin sila iiwan? SYEMPRE HINDI! Hanggang sa huling segundo ng laro bukas ipakita natin ang suporta! LABAN SAN MIG! PUSO!

Open Letter to San Mig Super Coffee Mixers

Tatak San Mig - Puso

Dear San Mig,
Una sa lahat higop muna ako ng Mainit na Kape (San Mig Coffee Siyempre).


Fans ako ng Franchise nyo (Purefoods) mula magkaisip ako matutung manood ng Basketball. Mula kay Kap , Jolas, Asaytono, Jerry Codiñera, Pumaren at Evangelista. Kahit mg iba iba man ng Team Name Solid fans pa Rin Ako. At Ngayong Era na Nila James Yap, Pj Simon , Marc Pingris at Mark Barroca ay lalo akong humanga sa inyo.


Ipapakilala ko Rin Sarili ko. They Call me Admin Redgh / Kuya Redgh, I owned and administer @Sanmigkamixers https://twitter.com/SanMigKaMixers  and @flyingbnatics https://twitter.com/FlyingBNatics Twitter Accounts And Many Facebook fan  pages. No. 1 fan din ako ni Mark Barroca and rest of the Team and Coaching Staff.

Naniniwala kaming kakakayanin ng Team natin n makabawi at manalo ng Game 7 when the matters most. Ilang beses nyo n rin kaming pinakaba at hindi binigo.
Sa pagkakataong ito kaming mga fans ang Hindi susuko at walang sawang sumusuporta. Walang Iwanan. Keep the Faith Ka-Mixers.


Para san nga ba ang Open letter na to?

Ito ay hindi para humingi ng attention ng Media. Ito ay para sa Team.

Gusto ko sanang ipabatid na ipagpatuloy lang natin ang ating nasimulan sa Conference na to. When we are down 1-3 and 3-7 at magtapos ng pang lima sa Eliminations ng 2013-2014 AFC Cup . At Ginupo natin ang Defending Champ na TNT sa Quarter Finals. At ngayon ng Makarating sa Semis Ipinakita natin Sa BGSM kung ano ang Character ng ating team ang Championship poise, Composure and Experience. Hindi man natin nakuha na manalo sa Game 6, pasamat sila kay Jawo, Edward Aquino at Magoo. No More Game 7 pero hindi tayo pinalad.

Tinitiyak ko na mas may matinding motibasyon at pagnanais na Manalo ang ating team sa Game 7. Dehado man tayo sa Dami ng Fans at Media exposure pero s Laki ng Ating Puso ay hindi papadaig.

Nandyan si Pinoy Sakuragi Marc Pingris na ating Sasandalan.
Ang Laging buwis Buhay at Always Hustle Plays ni Mark " Coffee King"  Barroca.
Ang mga swabeng Jumper ni Perfect Jumper Pj Simon.
Ang pagselyo ni James Yap bilang isang Legends ng Phil Basketball , That's why you called Him Big Game.
Ang Bilis at Liksi  ni Quickmelt Justin Melton.
Ang haba ng Galamay at Experience ni Rafi Reavis.
Ang Swag at Angas ni JDV .
Ang Angas ng Batang si Ian Sanggalang.
Ang mga Super Lay-up ni Alex Mallari.
Ang Jumper at depensa ni Kuya Yancy.
Mga Back up na Sina Isaac, Val, Gaco, Lester and Allein Maliksi.
And Coach Tim Cone's Know Best and Better.


Kaya natin yan ka Mix.

To Rain or Shine wait lang po na delay lang ng unti.

Pero may isa pa rin tayong sasandalan ang Diyos s itaas na sa atin ay Gumagabay.


Kaya nananawagan ako sa lahat na San Mig Fans. Sugod sa Araneta this Coming Wednesday.


Laban San Mig

Puso.

Buong Pusong Sumusuporta,

Regginald Hagihara

Mark Barroca's Fan Art

Here's some wonderful Artworks by San Mig Super Coffee Mixers Fan Artist for  Mark "Coffee Prince Barroca.

One Subject 4 Different Approach

Credits:  Hael Pinat, Aivzthegreat Graphics, Mark Duke Bernal and REDGH Grfx

Credit to Owner : Paul Ryan Tan

2013 PBA Mock Draft, Version 1.0

Jaemark Tordecilla and Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Monday, October 28, 2013 · 5:01 am

Last year, some 71 players filed their applications for the rookie draft. This year’s class topped that easily, with 85 players filing their paperwork to join the PBA.
With less than a week before the draft, InterAKTV is back with its series of mock drafts to try to make sense of what’s happening. Every day, we will release a new mock draft after talking to coaches, team officials, and agents about their prospects for Sunday’s event.

1. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – Greg Slaughter

(originally from Air 21)

In a way, picking Greg Slaughter would be a reaction to the dominance shown by June Mar Fajardo during the recently-concluded Governors’ Cup finals; at this point, Ginebra fans would probably revolt if their team didn’t select their own giant.
It’s unfair to compare Slaughter to Fajardo, given that the Petron big man already has a year in the PBA under his belt. It’s hard to get a handle on how good Slaughter is going to be coming out of the gate. He was solid for Ateneo, but he did it against inferior competition in the UAAP; he wasn’t nearly as effective in the PBA D-League, coming up against better players.
Interestingly, the last time the Gin Kings had the No. 1 overall pick, they selected another giant, Marlou Aquino. That was a great pick, as Aquino emerged as a Most Valuable Player candidate right in his first year, before leading Ginebra to a title in his second year.
Of course, the season before Ginebra drafted Aquino, they selected EJ Feihl with the No. 2 pick, ahead of more talented prospects such as Kenneth Duremdes and Jeffrey Cariaso. Ginebra fans would hope that Slaughter’s impact would be closer to Aquino’s rather than Feihl’s.
Best case scenario: A young Marlou Aquino
Worst case scenario: A young EJ Feihl

2. San Mig Coffee Mixers – Ian Sangalang

(originally from GlobalPort)

InterAKTV file/Justin Gener

Ian Sangalang has everything a coach would want in a big man — size and length, footwork, timing, passing skills, a mid-range jumper, and an ability to run the floor. He’s also three years younger than Slaughter, even though he’s shorter by a few inches.
But the best thing about Sangalang is that even though he has great finesse skills, he’s not afraid of mixing it up down low. He has also shown the ability to shine despite playing with other talented teammates — he routinely put up monster rebounding numbers while playing alongside Calvin Abueva at San Sebastian and won MVP honors in the PBA D-League while splitting center duties with Greg Slaughter.
His skillset is perfect for Tim Cone’s triangle offense, although it remains to be seen how much playing time he’ll get right off the bat given the Mixers’ crowded frontcourt. But if he ends up with the Mixers, he’d easily be the most talented big man Cone has drafted since Sonny Thoss, and we all know how well that turned out.
Best case scenario: A left-handed Danny Ildefonso
Worst case scenario: A left-handed Chris Cantonjos

3. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Raymond Almazan

(originally from Barako Bull)

Sports5/Paul Mata

Raymond Almazan has emerged as the best big man in Philippine college basketball this season after showing great form on both ends of the floor for the Letran Knights. While he has always been a dominant defender, he has really come on strong this year on the offensive end.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Almazan is his motor; he’s relentless off the boards despite his thin frame. That has allowed him to be a devastating offensive rebounder, even as he has begun to show an improved offensive arsenal, including the occasional three-point shot.
At Letran, he plays under coach Caloy Garcia, who also happens to be Yeng Guiao’s top assistant at Rain or Shine. He’ll still get pushed around in the PBA until he bulks up, but he’ll get plenty of practice with that when joins the Elasto Painters frontline that already features Extra Rice, Inc.
Best case scenario: A nastier Rafi Reavis
Worst case scenario: A nastier Omanzie Rodriguez

4. Barako Bull Energy – Terrence Romeo

(originally from Ginebra)

InterAKTV/Justin Gener

First, a note about Barako Bull: the past two years, the team has pulled off a draft-day deal to trade their first round pick. In 2011, Barako Bull’s third overall pick (Chris Lutz) ended up with Petron. In 2012, the team’s fifth overall pick (Aldrech Ramos) was sent to San Mig Coffee. With three first round picks this year, it’s almost a sure bet that Barako Bull will be involved in a trade.
That said, Romeo is the best talent at this spot. And this isn’t just a product of his stellar numbers in the UAAP, where he won Most Valuable Player honors; even before that, he was killing it against superior competition in the PBA D-League.
There remain questions about Romeo’s maturity. But consider the fact that, at 21 years old, he’s the youngest player in the draft, so he’s got plenty of time to get it together. Right now, he’s a rare talent who can put up big numbers right from Day One.
Best case scenario: Peter June Simon
Worst case scenario: Joseph Yeo

5. Barako Bull Energy – RR Garcia

(originally from Petron)

PBA/Nuki Sabio

It’s hard to project exactly how well RR Garcia’s game will translate to the PBA. He isn’t a deadeye three-point shooter like Jimmy Alapag or JVee Casio. Neither does he have the athleticism of guys like Jayson Castro or Mark Barroca.
But instead of having just one elite skill, he does everything pretty well. He has good size, has experience playing both guard positions, and plays defense well when he’s interested. He’s seasoned enough to step in and be part of the rotation of any PBA team.
Best case scenario: Mike Cortez
Worst case scenario: Bonbon Custodio

6. Barako Bull Energy – Jeric Teng

(originally from Meralco)

InterAKTV/Justin Gener

You know what would be hilarious? If Barako Bull drafted Romeo, Garcia, and Nico Salva and kept all of them. That would instantly be the most bro-tastic trio in the league, given the history among those three men.
But it’d be hard to pass up on Jeric Teng at this spot, especially with his stock at a high after his great performance in the UAAP finals. Teng could put up points with the best of them — he was also one of the best scorers in the D-League — but there remain questions about his size to play shooting guard at the next level, which could hamper him on the defensive end.
Best case scenario: Gary David
Worst case scenario: Ren-Ren Ritualo, post-prime

7. Globalport Batang Pier – James Forrester

(originally from Talk ‘N Text)

Arellano star James Forrester has PBA-level size and athleticism, and he might be higher up on this list if he had played for a more popular school. As it is, we wouldn’t be surprised if he moves up.
He was hampered by an injury during this past NCAA campaign, which might hurt his stock. But coaches probably remember his performance in the D-League, where he showcased his handles and his outside shooting against better competition.
Best case scenario: Marcio Lassiter
Worst case scenario: A taller Chris Timberlake

8. Alaska Aces – Nico Salva

PBA/Nuki Sabio

In college and the D-League, Salva proved that he can put the ball in the hoop. But the biggest concerns about the former Ateneo star will be his ability to defend at the next level.
In the amateurs, he played the power forward position, where he defended smaller post players. In the PBA, he will have to move to the wings, and the big question about Salva is whether he has the lateral quickness to stay with faster players on the perimeter.
If he couldn’t convince coaches that he could do that, then we wouldn’t be surprised if he somehow drops on the list.
Best case scenario: Tony Dela Cruz
Worst case scenario: Rich Alvarez, post-knee injury

9. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Alex Nuyles

PBA/Nuki Sabio

We were cool on Alex Nuyles a couple of days before we started writing this list, but a couple of coaches we spoke to rated the former Adamson wingman highly. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters coach Caloy Garcia, in fact, went out on a limb and said that Nuyles could be a potential first-rounder.
An athletic, rugged guard who could get hot from the outside and isn’t afraid of getting physical, Nuyles would be a great fit for a Rain or Shine squad full of rugged players.
Best case scenario: Ronald Tubid, without the flopping
Worst case scenario: Jimbo Aquino

10. San Mig Coffee – Justin Chua

PBA D-League/Nuki Sabio

Justin Chua played himself into first round contention with his performance in the D-League finals, where he helped Blackwater end NLEX’s title reign. He has PBA size along with a nice midrange jumper, and he has a nice enough stroke that it’s not hard to imagine him developing a three-point shot later on.
It’s not hard to imagine him ending up at San Mig Coffee at this spot, because Tim Cone loves picking big men — last year, he took Aldrech Ramos and Jewel Ponferrada in the draft. We also remember that one year when Cone drafted Ken Bono and JR Quinahan with back-to-back first round picks for Alaska.
Best case scenario: A left-handed JR Quinahan
Worst case scenario: A left-handed Ken Bono

11. Globalport Batang Pier – Robby Celiz

PBA D-League Images/Nuki Sabio

Robby Celiz is one of those handful of guys who had a quiet UAAP career before blossoming in the commercial leagues. Along with Chua, he was one of Blackwater’s heroes in the finals, outplaying some of the bigger names from the NLEX side.
A versatile forward who can score inside and out, we wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up in the first round when all is said and done.
Best case scenario: Ronnie Matias
Worst case scenario: Chito Jaime

12. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Isaac Holstein

(originally from Air 21)

PBA D-League/Nuki Sabio

Isaac Holstein attended Rain or Shine practice last week, and coach Yeng Guiao saw him as a project player. The coach added that the team could pick Holstein if he were the best talent available at No. 9.
That won’t be the case in this draft, but Holstein could end up being the best prospect available at No. 12. A beanpole who can block shots and hit midrange jumpers, he’s not nearly ready to play in the PBA, but he’ll get a team to take a flyer on him just based on potential.
Best case scenario: A skinnier, right-handed Yancy De Ocampo
Worst case scenario: A skinnier, right-handed Magi Sison

13. San Mig Coffee – Carlo Lastimosa

(originally from Barako Bull)

PBA D-League Images/Nuki Sabio

Taking Carlo Lastimosa here could be a reach, but coach Tim Cone has already indicated that San Mig Coffee might not even make a second round pick.
Two things could work for Lastimosa at this spot. The first is that his college coach, Richard del Rosario, is an assistant for the Mixers. The second is that the last Cone coached a team with a Lastimosa in the lineup, he ended up winning a lot of championships.
Best case scenario: Ronjay Buenafe
Worst case scenario: Reed Juntilla

14. Barako Bull Energy – Jeric Fortuna

(originally from Ginebra)

PBA D-League Images/Nuki Sabio

We’ve spoken to a couple of coaches who think Fortuna is a candidate to go in the first round, but the teams that need a point guard either have high enough picks to select better prospects (i.e. Barako Bull) or does not have a first round pick (i.e. Air 21).
Then again, there could be a shakeup in the draft order, and Fortuna could end up higher. If he ends up in the middle of the second round, he could be this year’s Emman Monfort.
Best case scenario: A poor man’s LA Tenorio
Worst case scenario: TY Tang

15. Alaska Aces – Eric Camson

(originally from Petron)

PBA/Nuki Sabio

Despite his reed-thin frame, Eric Camson battled bigger men in the UAAP and the D-League on a nightly basis and held his own. He has a nice jumper that extends to the three-point line and he knows how to play a role, having played for the star-studded NLEX Road Warriors in the D-League.
Best case scenario: A poor man’s Mac Baracael
Worst case scenario: A poor man’s Elmer Espiritu

16. Air 21 Express – Justin Melton

(originally from Meralco)

A Filipino-American born in Angeles City, Melton spent the past season with the Westports Malaysia Dragons in the ASEAN Basketball League. He displayed great flashes of athleticism and could move up in the board if he impresses teams during workouts. He could be an option for the Express, a team in great need of point guard help after trading Mike Cortez last conference.
Best case scenario: A poor man’s Jayson Castro
Worst case scenario: Joey Mente

17. Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters – Ryan Buenafe

PBA D-League Images/Nuki Sabio

Ryan Buenafe is one of the most intriguing prospects on the list. He has the skills and the basketball IQ, but there will always be questions about his shape after battling weight issues in college. Talk ‘N Text, where he could reunite with his college coach Norman Black, could be the perfect landing spot for Buenafe.
Best case scenario: A much bulkier Larry Fonacier
Worst case scenario: A much shorter Beau Belga

18. Alaska Aces – Nate Matute

Alaska assistant coach Alex Compton compared Matute to Josh Urbiztondo, although the former Jose Rizal University hotshot does not have the jets or the handles of the Ginebra guard. He’s a little bigger though, and his ability to put the ball in the hoop could end up being a real asset on the right team.
Best case scenario: A taller, slower Josh Urbiztondo
Worst case scenario: Benedict Fernandez

19. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Eloy Poligrates

Cebuano playground legend Eloy Poligrates is finally entering the draft after a couple of conferences in the PBA D-League. He has a bit of a cult following from his hometown, drawing favorable comparisons to another mercurial Cebuano point guard, Jimwell Torion.
It’d be apt if he ended up on a team with Torion’s old PBA coach, Yeng Guiao.
Best case scenario: A taller Jimwell Torion
Worst case scenario: A taller Michael Manigo

20. Barako Bull Energy – JR Cawaling

(originally from San Mig Coffee)

ASEAN Basketball League photo

An original member of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team, JR Cawaling’s stock has dropped steadily through the years. Last year, he pulled out of the draft to sign with the San Miguel Beermen in the ASEAN Basketball League, where he barely made an impact. But there have been former UAAP star wingmen — Jeff Chan and Larry Fonacier come to mind — who dropped all the way to the second round only to end up blossoming in the PBA.
Best case scenario: A right-handed Jeff Chan
Worst case scenario: A right-handed RJ Rizada

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/2013-pba-mock-draft-version-1-0

Fit-again James Yap ready to take on nemesis Ybanes, Painters

James Yap hopes to boost the numbers after registering career-low averages of 12 points and 3.2 rebounds a game while struggling with injuries in the last Commissioner’s Cup. Jerome Ascano

SAN Mig Coffee superstar James Yap hopes the PBA Governors Cup would signal a new beginning for his career after being slowed down the past summer by a nagging back injury.
Yap has spent the past month practicing with the team and rehabilitating his problematic back, and the 6-foot-1 shooting guard said he is eager to play once again as the Mixers face last year’s Finals tormentor Rain or Shine Elasto Painters right on opening day.
The Governors Cup unreels on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Para sa akin, kailangan lang naman from the start banat na agad dahil every game counts. Maiksi lang kasi ang conference,” Yap told Spin.ph before joining the team’s practice on Tuesday.
“Ang approach ko naman ngayon, every game, para siyang semifinals. Wala nang time para mag-relax. Kasi pag natalo ka dito (elimination round), wala ka nang chance makabawi, puwera na lang kung magkita uli kayo sa semis or quarterfinals,” he added.
The pride of Escalante, Negros Occidental said he’s ready to bang bodies with Rain or Shine’s chief defensive stopper Jireh Ibanes, whom he has battled in several highly physical encounters in the past.
Yap said his back is feeling really good and hasn’t bothered him since joining the team’s practice in early July. He credits the series of therapy sessions he had with an Italian Olympic therapist as one of the reasons why his back is back to normal.
“Malaking tulong talaga yung therapy ko dun (sa Italy). Ngayon, nakakapag-plyometrics na ako,” he said. “Last conference kasi, iba. Gusto ng utak ko maglaro, pero yung katawan ko naman ang ayaw.”
The 31-year-old San Mig stalwart is coming off career-low averages of 12 points and 3.2 rebounds in the Commissioner’s Cup, which saw the Mixers yield their crown to eventual champion Alaska Aces.
Yap shot an abysmal 18.9 percent from the field during the best-of-five semifinal series against the Aces as his injured back limited his mobility.
He later decided to sit out Game Four of the series, which San Mig lost, 78-83, to bow out of the title race.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/fit-again-james-yap-ready-to-take-on-nemesis-ybanes-painters