Purefoods superstar James Yap rues absence of Ian Sangalang, slow start as Hotshots bow out The Purefoods Star Hotshots saw their string of four consecutive championships snapped on Thursday and superstar James Yap believes the absence of sophomore Ian Sangalang had a big part in their inability to keep the run going. They have dominated the league in the recent past, winning the Grand Slam last season and making eight consecutive semifinal appearances but were knocked out of contention in the 2014 PBA Philippine Cup on Thursday by a team they’ve been so used to beating in the playoffs – the Meralco Bolts. “Malaking bagay yung pagkawala ni Ian. Iba rin kasi kapag andun siya,” Yap told a small group of sportswriters after the loss. “Kapag ganitong slow start kami, si Ian yung bumubuhat sa amin sa game.” Sangalang suffered an ACL tear during the team’s opening game of the season and is expected to miss six to eight months with the injury. He is not expected to return before the season-ending Governors’ Cup. LESSONS LEARNED Last season, the Hotshots had the habit of starting slow before turning it on in the playoffs. They finished the Philippine Cup in fifth place and the Commissioner’s Cup in sixth place before stomping their way to the championship in both conferences. They started off this season’s opening conference in similar fashion, losing three of their first four games before winding up in seventh place heading into the playoffs. It caught up with them, though, as they entered the quarters on the wrong end of the twice-to-beat advantage and they could not overcome it against the Bolts. Yap said that’s something the team will have to change moving forward,. “Natutunan naming lesson dapat huwag kaming magkaroon ng slow start,” Yap said. “Hindi puwedeng ganun lagi.” Both Yap and point guard Mark Barroca believe that while the Hotshots will be hurting from this setback, the loss will be a valuable learning experience for the team. “Mas magiging solid kami dito sa nangyari,” Yap said. “Nasaktan kami ngayon pero babawi kami next conference,” Barroca agreed. “Lilipas rin ito.” interaksyon/interaktv/purefoods-superstar-james-yap-rues-absence-of-ian-sangalang-slow-philippine-cup-start-as-hotshots-bow-out #adminbubbles
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 04:09:37 +0000
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