Shrinkage Syndrome for Llamados

James Yap needs to step up. Now.

Isn't it ironic how the B-Meg Llamados, pre-season favorites with the acquisition of Hall of Fame coach Tim Cone, is led by a man touted "Big Game" only for them to keep falling short in, well, big games?

James Yap hasn't scored over 20 points in what feels like forever and this night's 103-81 loss is no different regardless of the 21 he scored on a 7/17 shooting clip. Most of his points came early, and when push came to shove, he couldn't do anything but hoist up those nice-form threes that kept bouncing off the rim.


On the other end of the floor, counterpart Mac Cardona (22 points) kept delivering clutch baskets and even adding some crowd-taunting just for kicks. If Gary David blows on his hands, Willie Miller panders to the crowd-- Cardona is quickly embracing the hate and playing the role of Kobe Bryant circa 2005-2007 (you know, when everyone hated him for sleeping with that lady and kicking Shaq and Phil off the Lakers).

Back to the Llamados and how they just unfolded yet again in a crucial quarterfinals match-up (Best-of-Three).

Say what you will, but James Yap is no superstar. He was back in high school and college, but not anymore. Either he became spoiled with all the showbiz lights and attention, or just lost touch with who and how he was back in the day-- the guy is not even on the same level as PBA closers- Cardona, David and Mark Caguioa. That's just the honest to goodness truth.

Big Game?

Nah.

Denzel Bowles once again came undone against an elite opponent, last Friday against Ginebra's Jackson Vroman and tonight versus NBA veteran Earl Barron. When the going got tough, the Llamados' best offensive spurts came from their locals and not from their import who was being roughed up by the ageless Asi Taulava (12 points, 13 boards).

For the most part, it seems that the Llamados made a crucial, tactical error when they opted to send Kerby Raymundo to Ginebra for JC Intal (indirect trade). Not only did they give up their premier post player, but they also lost his calming presence during tight situations.

Roger Yap, another player released by the Cone-era Llamados, was also missed in tonight's game. His steadying presence in the perimeter could've helped the Llamados' cause. Josh Urbiztondo wasn't able to knock down his patented streaky threes while Mark Barroca seems like he's playing better as a shooting guard-- which is bad if you're a Llamados fan given the logjam/overlapping between scorers J. Yap and PJ Simon.

Coaching wise, there's really nothing we can say about Tim Cone. The principles of his intricate triangle offense is there, the Llamados are playing well defensively-- the best they have since their title years, it's just coming up big and pulling through in the clutch where they keep falling short.

If they're not careful, then they're looking at a second straight conference of being eliminated by a lower seeded team. And the part that stinks about it? They'll lose to former coach Ryan Gregorio.