TIANJIN – Somewhere up there, James Yap believes, his mother-in-law is smiling and nodding her kind head.

Married to TV host and movie actress Kris Aquino, youngest child of the late former President Corazon C. Aquino, Yap beamed when asked about the huge three-point shot he drained with 51 seconds left Friday that stopped cold a frightening Japan rally in the 25th FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship.

“Siempre ginagawa ko ang lahat para mapasaya ang mother-in-law ko dahil alam ko na nanood siya,” said Yap, who secured permission from Mrs. Aquino to join Powerade-Team Pilipinas in Tianjin before the globally-respected leader succumbed to colon cancer last Saturday.

Yap rushed home from the William Jones Cup tournament in Taipei last month to be with his wife and her family when he received word that Mrs. Aquino’s condition had taken a turn for the worse.

When the former president died a week later, a decision was made for Yap to stay behind until after the funeral Wednesday, and he was seen on television sitting with his wife and their young son as an endless stream of sympathizers lined up to offer their condolences at the Manila Memorial Park.

The Purefoods Giants hotshot joined his RP teammates the following day, arriving in time to attend early evening practice for the all-important game with Japan Friday.

The Nationals fell behind by as many as 11 points early. But a third quarter run wiped out the deficit and provided the momentum for a blistering fourth period assault.

With 3:15 remaining, a Sonny Thoss free throw gave the RP team a 75-62 lead and the bench started celebrating.

But five straight free throws pushed the Japanese within 75-67 with 1:14 left, keeping the door open for another spectacular comeback similar to the one they pulled off from 19 points down in the Jones Cup.

Yap, who was playing hurt that day in Taipei after suffering a whiplash in the Kazakhstan game earlier, would have none of it, however.

From top of the key, Yap swished in a 3-pointer – his third – to bring down the curtains on the Japanese and raise hopes of a quarterfinal spot for the RP team.

Outside the media room at the Tianjin gymnasium, Yap paid one more tribute to his wife’s mom.

“Pinayagan niya akong sumama kaya gusto ko na magiging proud siya sa akin,” he said. “Kaya ako nandito e dahil sa kanya.”

One more reason, it turns out, to thank the heroine of People Power.