PBA: Local boy Yap shines in Purefoods’ Fiesta Cup debut

MANILA, Philippines – James Yap came up with an import-like performance in a 131-121 Purefoods drubbing of Talk ‘N Text in Sunday’s main game of the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. The one-time league MVP finished with a big 33 point-production in the high-scoring game behind a 3-of-9 shooting from the three-point area to go with his four rebounds and three assists. The last two of those three-pointers came inside the final two-minute mark that served as the dagger that struck the hearts of the reigning Philippine Cup champions Tropang Texters. The first trey gave Purefoods a 125-114 lead with the second came just when Talk ‘N Text was making one final run, 130-121. The win shoved the Giants into a three-way tie for the early lead in the import-spiced tournament alongside Rain or Shine and Burger King. Brian Hamilton had an auspicious debut in Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league with a triple double output of 22 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists while getting a lot of support from Purefoods’ local players. Enrico Villanueva had 15, new recruit Don Allado added 15 more, June Simon and Roger Yap scored 13 each while Kerby Raymundo made up for a scoreless first half by pumping in all of his 12 points in the third period when he rallied the Giants back from as many as a 75-82 deficit. Tiras Wade had a more explosive night than Hamilton with 36 points but failed to get back on track when the Giants were in the midst of a big third quarter scoring spurt. Mac-Mac Cardona had 16 markers and RenRen Ritualo 14 more for the Tropang Texters, who only got a single output from celebrated rookie Jared Dillinger. – GMANews.TV