By TITO TALAO and NOLI CRUZ
James Yap is probably the luckiest person on earth right now. He just won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, he was named to the Mythical Five, his team, Purefoods, is one win away from a PBA championship. Add the fact that he is married to one of the country’s most beautiful and popular movie stars Kris Aquino and there’s really nothing more he can ask for. The Bulletin caught up with the 24-year-old Purefoods star and here’s how the conversation went.
How does it feel to be named Most Valuable Player?
Sobrang saya. Dream come true para sa’kin.
A lot of PBA players end their careers without winning the MVP trophy, how did you do it in just your second season?
Ang sikreto ko lang talaga e yung disiplina at ang pagpray sa God. Yung di ka nakakalimot sa Itaas. Kung ano man ang ibinibigay Niya, di ko nakakalimutan magpasalamat.
What discipline, specifically, are you talking about?
Di ka lumalabas. Di ka gumigimik. Di nagpupuyat. Alak, wala, yosi, wala rin. Puro ensayo lang.
Would you have felt bad had you lost the MVP?
Disappointed? Ah, well…di naman mawawala sa isang player yon; kahit kaunti. Lahat naman ng player ito ang pinapangarap, ang maging MVP.
Do comparisons with your fellow MVP candidates irk you?
Di naman. Kasi ako yung taong walang inggit sa katawan. Kung baga, kung ano ang gusto nilang isipin, nasa kanila yon. Kung tingin nila itong player na ito ang deserving, OK lang.
If you were to form a first five from current PBA players, who would they be?
Kerby Raymundo – S’ya ang pinaka-consistent na center this season. Marc Pingris – Papaangat ang laro ni Marc at malakas talaga sa loob. Danny Seigle – Hindi mo p’wedeng layuan dahil may tira sa labas at mahirap i-single coverage sa loob dahil mataas tumalon. James Yap – S’yempre dapat inside outside din ang laro ng off-guard. Paul Artadi – Playing time lang ang kulang kay Paul. At saka gamay ko na s’ya na kasama sa backcourt mula pa nung college kami.
Who in your opinion is the most difficult player to guard?
Renren Ritualo. Nakakapagod bantayan dahil laging maraming screen.
Have you ever quarreled with your coach?
Hindi pa. Kahit nung amateur.
How do you prepare for an important game?
Rest lang at saka kain ng pasta sa lunch.
Who is your basketball idol?
Samboy Lim. Laging 100% kasi ‘yung binibigay sa laro.
What’s the biggest problem of Philippine basketball?
Wala naman akong nakikitang problema. ‘Di pa lang siguro natin time na umangat.
Do you call Kris Aquino before or after a game?
Nagtatawagan kami before the game. Ginu-good luck n’ya ako.
Your coach says you have become more self-confident after having Kris as your wife, do you think sports and showbiz can happily mix?
Depende na lang siguro sa nagdadala. Sa amin OK naman.
What role, if any, did Kris play in the MVP race?
Talagang nagpe-pray siya gabi-gabi na kung ano man ang mangyayari e di sasama ang loob ko. Kahapon lang nasa Baclaran kami, every Tuesday yan. Ang pinapangarap lang talaga naman namin ngayong conference e makapasok kami (Giants) sa finals at makapasok ako sa Mythical Five. Yun lang. Bonus na lang to.
Who wants the MVP more? You or Kris?
Siempre ako. Hindi, siguro kaming dalawa, di ba? Siempre asawa ko siya. Kung ano na-achieve ko, damay na rin siya.
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