The Meralco Bolts is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 5:15 P.M. on July 29, 2017 live from Ynares Centre, Antipolo.
The Bolts aims to tie with NLEX Road Warriors at the top of the 2017 PBA Governor’s Cup standings while the Elasto Painters will attempt to bounce after getting a loss in their last game assignment.
James Yap almost have the sweetest winning shot probably by the entire PBA players in the league’s entire history if he only sank his three-pointer in the first overtime game against the Road Warriors.
Entering the game, Yap is just a 17-point shy away to become a member of the 10,000 career points club. He already got 14 points in that previous RoS game and surprisingly the former PBA MVP wasn’t aware that he’s that close.
“Three points away na lang ako?” Yap said post-game.
“Yun pala, yung dapat yung last shot. P****, sayang! Wala eh, buti sana kung pumasok, nagulat sana ako. Panalo na tapos nakuha ko pa [10,000],” he added.
Meralco vs Rain or Shine | Live Streaming – 2017 PBA Governor’s Cup | July 29, 2017
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Another three point isn’t that difficult and it’s possible that he will earn it in Ynares Centre. However, Yap wanted to place the success of the team first instead of his personal achievements.
“Sayang nga. Yung last shoe sana, sayang di ko napasok. Sa Ynares [Center] na lang pero hindi ko dapat isipin yun,” Yap said.
“Three points na lang tapos mamaya hindi pa tayo maka-shoot di ba? Yan yung mahirap, pag palapit nang palapit, minsan masama e. Magkakagigil pa. Na-experience na natin yan e,” he added.
Coach Norman Black on the other hand seems that he enjoy that the spotlight is away from his team despite of winning back-to-backs.
“We’re okay with that (having less spotlight than San Miguel and Ginebra),” said Meralco coach Norman Black. “They’re two very good teams so they deserve whatever spotlight they get. We’re just trying to win games just like everybody else.”
Allen Durham the 2016 PBA Governor’s Cup Best Import exploded against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. He dropped 30 points and grabbed 24 rebounds.
One of the reasons of the Bolts early success is the improvement of his local teammates according to Durham.
“I see these guys in practice and how much hard work they put in, and I have no problem passing it to them and they hit their shots like tonight and I do believe we’ll do pretty good this conference,” Durham also said.