MANILA, Philippines -- James Yap rescued not only San Mig Coffee's grand slam bid, but also the job of the Mixers' ballboy Jun Rillo.
Yap was so focused on their team's mission as he came up with one of those classic “Big Game James” performance. But now it can be told: he got an extra motivation when Rillo became the first ballboy in the league's history to get a technical foul.
Rillo, who became the social media's darling after he animatedly contested a lane violation called on Marc Pingris, was already contemplating of resigning should they lose.
"Kung natalo kami even by a point, sa akin yung sisi," Rillo told Good Morning Club hosts Martin Andanar and Cheryl Cosim.
"Nagising na lang ako nang tinulak ako ni coach Tim Cone pabalik sa bench habang sinasabi na 'You're not supposed to be here', hindi ko rin alam bakit ko nagawa yun," Rillo, recalling his now famous stunt.
Video from YouTube
Rillo was supposed to be at the locker room preparing it for the halftime huddle. But his fellow ballboy asked to be substituted on the courtside while he went to the rest room.
"Pero dun ko napatunayan na solid kami, na family kami kasi walang nagsabi ng negative comment or nanisi sa akin sa team pagkatapos mangyari yun," added Rillo, who was christened by social media as "Boy Sukat" referring to his stunt.
The ballboy, who also serves as the team's referee during practice, was so worried when Yap approached him during timeout.
"Okay lang yun kuya Jun, akong bahala sa'yo, part of the game lang yun," Rillo recalled Yap telling him.
And the two-time MVP did not let Rillo down delivering his biggest game of the tournament firing a personal conference-high 29 points to lead the Mixers to the pulsating 92-89 win in the Grandslam clincher.
Yap eventually won his second straight Finals MVP award while Rillo became an instant fan-favorite.
The 57-year-old ballboy, who has been with the team since 2008, showed loyalty that earned Yap's respect.
Pingris stepped on the line. Rillo stepped out of the line in contesting the call. And with his job on the line, there was Big Game James to the rescue.