Yap leads B-Meg over Alaska

by Waylon Galvez

Games Wednesday (Smart-Araneta Coliseum)

5:15 p.m. – Talk ’N Text vs Shopinas.com
7:30 p.m. – Powerade vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines — For most of regulation play and first overtime period, B-Meg gunner James Yap struggled with his shooting.

But in the second OT, Yap, a former two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) came through with timely baskets to help the Llamados repeat over the Alaska Aces, 92-89, in the PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-2 Yap had eight of his 24 points in the second extra period, including his team’s last four points – a layup and a jump shot from top of the key – that gave them a 92-87 lead with 43.4 seconds left in the game.

Yap actually started strong with 10 points in the first period, but went scoreless in the second quarter and had a combined six points from the third frame until the first overtime period. He finished shooting 11-of-26 from the field.

Rookie guard Mark Barroca also had a solid outing for B-Meg, which played sans the injured PJ Simon (sprained right ankle), as he collected a career-high 22 points, with two rebounds, two assists and four steals.

Barroca, the No. 5 overall pick in the last PBA Rookie Draft, (originally by newcomer Shopinas.com but was traded to B-Meg), nailed a tough jumper from the right corner to put his team up, 88-84, with 1:36 left in the second OT.

B-Meg’s win improved its record at 5-4, tying Meralco from fifth to sixth places while Alaska fell to 1-7.

”It was an epic game. A game of big stops and big shots,” said B-Meg coach Tim Cone, who is now 2-0 against his former team Alaska after an 81-75 win last Oct. 12. “One big difference was we had James and they didn’t.”

”We’re over .500 and that’s very important to us. Having a turnaround within a day, having a two overtime game against Alaska, it’s a big character game for us. We’re a little bit tired, but it’s a test of character,” added Cone, who also got 14 points and 13 rebounds from Kerby Raymundo.

LA Tenorio led Alaska with a personal conference-high 28 points but was on the bench in the second OT due to cramps.

In the other game, Petron Blaze dealt Rain or Shine its second loss of the conference with a 90-80 victory.

The Boosters improved to 6-3 to gain solo third while the Elasto Painters fell to second at 7-2.

The scores:

B-MEG 92 – Yap J. 24, Barroca 22, Raymundo 14, Pingris 10, De Vance 9, Maierhofer 5, Urbiztondo 2, Ferriols 2, Reavis 2, Yap R. 2.

ALASKA 89 – Tenorio 28, Baguio 17, Reyes 14, Thoss 13, Baracael 7, Custodio 4, Dela Cruz 4, Eman 2, Salamat 0, Sotto 0.

Quarters: 22-25; 34-35; 56-53; 73-73 (Reg.); 80-80 (OT); 92-89 (2OT).

Second Game

PETRON 90 – Santos 25, Lutz 22, Cabagnot 16, Yeo 14, Miranda 4, Ildefonso 4, Reyes 3, Agustin 2, Doruelo 0, Baclao 0, Sharma 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 80 – Chan 15, Quinahan 15, Belga 9, Rodriguez 9, Norwood 8, Buenafe 8, Lee 6, Matias 5, Arana 5, Cruz 0, Ibanes 0.

Quarters: 22-12; 44-23; 72-51; 90-80.

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