It's not over for James...

James Yap is not a boxer, he's a basketball player

In boxing, once you lose 2, 3 or 4 consecutive fights, your career might be over. You might lose your supporters and career in the blink of an eye. No one would want to see you in the ring again. 

But that's boxing. In James Yap's case, He is a basketball player. He's got a lot of chances to bounce back. Yap's career isn't over yet, too early to give up. Coming off injury, it's pretty hard to get your old form back. 

James' fans (Some Fans) are now losing hope and trust because of his poor performances on their first 2 games. They are wondering what's going on with James? He has fully recovered from his back injury, he's got a new girlfriend, the freedom to visit his Son Bimby. But He's still struggling. 

To be fair with James, unlike other players, I think his struggles are quite noticeable compared to other players who also suffered from injuries. Because everybody knows that James is one of the greatest player in the PBA today. He's not a 2 time MVP for nothing. It's just that, people are used to see him play well. James usually scores in 20's, he's also know for his million moves. This may be the consequence of being a two time MVP and being the most popular player in the PBA today. You've got to be good all the time if you don't want to be criticized.

Again, this is not boxing, where your chances are limited. This is basketball, you've got a million chance to do your million moves again. 

Tulad ng marami, ang injury para sa isang player ay tila isang bangungot na pag hindi ka nagising ay tuluyan ka ng magpapaalam sa iyong talento na kahit ano mang pilit ay hindi na maibabalik. Katapusan na ng kasikatan na bigay sayo ng mga big shots at big games na nagawa mo sa iyong karera. May ilan na nakakabangon mula sa matinding injury tulad ng player ng Baranggay Ginebra Gin Kings na si Jayjay Helterbrand.

Nakilala si Helterbrand bilang ka-tandem ni PBA reigning MVP Mark "The Spark" Caguioa. Sa angkin nyang bilis at husay sa paglalaro, sumikat sya kasama ang kapartner. Nung mawala si Caguioa dulot ng injury, magisa nyang binuhat ang Ginebra at nanalo ng Most Valuable Player award noon.

Pero sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, tinamaan si Helterbrand ng matinding injury na nagpabagsak sa kanyang career. Nawala ang ningning ng tinaguriang "The Fast" ng PBA.

Sa ngayon, tila isang role player na lang si Helterbrand ngayon sa kanyang koponan. Na ipapasok na lang pag pagod na ang kanilang star point guard na si L.A Tenorio. Tungkol naman kay James Yap, nasa stage na sya ng bangungot na dulot ng injury nya sa likod. Last conference nakita ang pinakamababang performance ni James Yap na nagaverage lang ng 12 points per game at madaming fans ang disappointed dahil dito.

Magaling na ito at hindi na sumasakit ayon sa sikat na basketball player. Tinulungan sya ng isang Olympic Therapist sa bansang Italy at ngayon ngay nagbabalik aksyon sa PBA.

Sa ginanap na first game ng San Mig Coffee Mixers laban sa Rain Or Shine noong miyerkules, nakita ng madla ang napakasamang performance ni James Yap na iisa lang ang field goal sa buong laro. Marami ang nagsasabing laos na sya at hindi na maibabalik ang dating tikas ng paglalaro. Dito na papasok ang tanong na kung matutulad na ba sya sa kapalaran ni Helterbrand na ngayo'y isang ordinaryong player na lang mula sa pagiging superstar?


Sa laro ngayon laban sa Air 21 Express, makikita natin kung makakabawi na ba si Yap sa masamang laro nya mula pa noong nakaraang conference. Nauna nya ng idinahilan ang "Gigil" sa paglalaro gawa ng naramdaman nyang kaginhawaan sa likod. Maraming fans ang tumalikod, maraming fans ang naghihintay. Eto na ang pagkakataon ng tinaguriang "Face of the PBA" na si Big Game James Yap upang patunayan sa kanyang mga kritiko na hindi sya magiging ordinaryong player na lang tulad ng sinapit ni Helterbrand.