James Yap strong contender to win 2nd PBA MVP plum

James Yap said his first most valuable player (MVP) award in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) was the toughest. Not only that he won the highest individual award while in his second season in the pro league, but he has to achieve it against his teammate who was also dreaming of winning the best individual plum. "It was difficult for me since I am competing against Kerby Raymundo," Yap said. "We both wanted to win a championship and win an MVP award."

The Giants did make it to the finals of the 2005-06 season twice and won the championship of the All-Filipino that season. In the Fiesta Conference, Raymundo, who was playing his best season, lost in the Conference MVP race to Enrico Villanueva of Red Bull Barako. The Barakos also defeated the Giants in six games of the best-of-seven championship series. In the All-Filipino, the Giants struck back and returned the favor against the Barakos in six games, but all eyes were on two individuals disputing for the MVP – Yap and Raymundo. The pride of Escalante, Negros won it over his teammate, but the popular player who is married to the former presidential daughter - movie and television personality Kris Aquino - had mixed emotions in taking the award. This season, with his team fresh from capturing the franchise’s fifth AFC title, Yap became the conference’s best player award and went on to win the Finals MVP award after the Giants swept the Alaska Aces in four games. Statistics would show that 18 of the last 24 candidates, whose teams went on to win a championship in the season opener, went on to win the award. This means Yap has a solid shot of winning his second MVP plum in this early part of his career. Would he choose championship over MVP? "I will be selfish if I choose the MVP award, so since I’m not selfish, I would choose a championship title," said Yap. Mission: To be a defensive player You’ve seen him hitting three-pointers, piercing the defense with his nifty drives to the basket, and collect championship trophies and MVP awards. Now James Yap’s new challenge to himself is to become a defensive demon in the league. He is now pushing himself double time and preparing his body for the tougher task ahead. And the man known as "Big Game" James has NBA superstar Manu Ginobili to thank for. "I love how Manu Ginobili plays," Yap said. "He’s a complete player. You can rely on him on offense and defense. That’s what I’m trying to be in the PBA." In basketball, few great players were able to be regarded both as an offensive threat and a defensive player. In the NBA there’s Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade while locally there’s the legendary Robert Jaworski, Benjie Paras, Philip Cezar and Ramon Fernandez. Jaworski, Paras, Cezar and Fernandez are all former MVPs and had made it to the elite cast of being included in the all-defensive list one time or another in their respective careers. Yap wants to be included in that illustrious list. But will the new objective of becoming a defensive player affect his offensive game? Yap doesn’t think so. "I don’t think so. My teammates would still set me up and find ways for me to get my offensive game going. I just wan to be a complete player." – GMANews.TV