Big Game James steals thunder from The Blur

MANILA, Philippines – San Mig Coffee superstar James Yap stole the spotlight from the newly-minted Best Player of the Conference Jayson Castro in Game Three of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.

In the endgame duel between both team’s superstars, Yap made the right plays and hit the biggest shot as the Mixers seized a 2-1 edge over the Texters via a heart-pounding 77-75 victory on Tuesday night at the packed Smart Araneta Coliseum.  

For a while, Castro appeared to be cruising to another sensational performance. He banked a three-pointer that gave Talk n Text a 75-71 lead with over a minute left.  After a 30-point outburst in Game Two, here was “The Blur” ready to own the San Mig backcourt once again with 21 big points to his name.  

Yap, however, refused to lose. He seized the moment to remind everyone why he is called the “Big Game James”.

The former two-time MVP rose up to the challenge presiding over his team’s next two offensive plays that moved them within one win away from wrapping up a third straight championship.

After eluding Kelly Williams’ sticky defense, Yap found a cutting James Mays who scored and fished a foul. The San Mig import, who lost the Best Import award to Talk n Text's Richard Howell, completed the three-point play to cut the four-point deficit down to just one, 74-75. Talk n Text failed to put up a decent shot in their next offensive play that paved the way for Yap’s biggest shot of the game.   

In the ensuing play, Marc Pingris was trapped under the goal and almost turned the ball over until he saw Yap in the corner. The former two-time MVP received the last second pass and calmly dribbled before releasing a tough fadeaway jumper over the outstretched arms of Williams.

It was a dagger of a jumper that went straight to the Tropang Texters’ hearts.

“Ang sarap sa pakiramdam nung binitawan ko. Usually, pag ganun, pumapasok,” Yap told Philstar.com.  â€œButi talaga nahanap pa ako ni Ping.”

Castro failed to respond to Yap’s big shot.

He missed a bounced pass from his teammate Ranidel de Ocampo, whom he beat for the BPC award.

“Akala ko kasi didiretso na siya [Ranidel],” Castro said. “Breaks of the game talaga.”

It was a costly turnover as Devance pegged the final count with a split at the line.

Castro had one more chance to bail his team out but his prayer at the buzzer was not answered.

Yap acknowledged after the game that Cone’s gamble in Game Two paid off in this game.

Yap atoned for his lackluster six-point performance in Game Two with 13, including eight in the second half, on Tuesday night. He played for 35 minutes, almost doubling his 18-minute stint in Game Two that had the fans baffling with his fourth quarter benching together with fellow starters PJ Simon and Marc Pingris.  

 â€œDiskarte ni coach yun. Wala tayong magagawa dun but I’m happy nagbunga naman with this win,” Yap said.

While Castro was receiving his second Best Player of the Conference award before the game, Yap silently sat on the San Mig Coffee bench staring at a blank space.

He was oblivious to what was happening. 

Castro is just arriving. But Yap has been there, done that.   

Before the game, the spotlight belonged to “The Blur”. After the buzzer, “Big Game James” stole it with that vintage big shot.