In a funk

"Clank!" For the struggling 2x PBA MVP
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Did you know that since the 2008-2009 season, this feared marksman's shooting clip from the three point arc has gone down considerably year after year?

Blame it on off-court drama or nagging injuries, but the honest and brutal truth of it all is that two time PBA Most Valuable Player James Carlos Yap, the "face of the PBA" and San Mig Coffee's on-court leader, is struggling. Three games into the new 2013-2014 season and we're still being (mis)treated to the same old sub-standard shooting performance unexpected from a player of Yap's caliber.


Does the problem lie with the retooled, more potent roster that Mixers head coach Tim Cone built? That can't be the case since they already won two titles with Cone, Yap and friends all in tow. Is Yap having a hard time creating for himself? Having to score in limited touches? The man is the recognized go-to-guy of the team (specially with PJ Simon out), so it's doubtful that the Mixers would readily snub their franchise player whenever he wants some quality time with the basketball.

Whatever it is, Yap needs to break out of his shooting slump and learn how to contribute. In last night's loss to the Petron Blaze Boosters, Yap took only 8 shots in 23 minutes making 1 basket and finishing with 5 points.

That is simply not going to do.

Not with young, up-and-coming stars ready and just lying in the wait to take the 2x PBA MVP's minutes and the social media generation quick to turn given today's "what have you done for me lately?" mentality.

Fortunately for Yap and all of his (cult-ish) fans a.k.a. the Yapsters, there's hope for their struggling superstar. During his first year under Coach Cone, he put in the work defensively one-on-one (using his big paws and all), played off the ball and pretty much went back to the basics wherein he was simply being efficient on the floor, not forcing the action and just picking his spots on offense.

Right now, we'd put all the "James Yap to Gilas" arguments and forums on hold. Hopefully, Yap turns it around in time to lead the Mixers out of the bottom of the PBA Philippine Cup standings.