JAKARTA—Nearly a decade after he last wore the national team colors, James Yap showed that he still has what it takes to play at a high level on the international stage.

In his first game for the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games, Yap fired 12 points to go along with six rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal. He did not shoot well, making only three of 10 shots, but he displayed tremendous hustle and stood his ground on defense.

He logged 23 minutes and 44 seconds against Kazakhstan, the longest among all players in their 96-59 triumph on Thursday morning.

“Siyempre, na-miss ko ‘to,” said Rain Or Shine’s Yap, who last played for the Philippines in the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship.

“Actually, binigay ko lang ‘yung best ko para makatulong sa team, and buti na lang kahit papaano, nakatulong,” he added.

Yap drew some of the biggest cheers of the game from the Filipino fans at Basket Hall, particularly in the second quarter when he made up for a turnover by blocking a Kazakh player who was driving to the hoop. On the other end, he made Kazakhstan pay for its inattention when he drilled a triple off a slingshot pass by Rain Or Shine teammate Chris Tiu.

“Masarap, masarap,” Yap said of the experience. “Excited kami lahat, and talagang nagtulungan kami para manalo tayo.”

“Hindi namin ine-expect (na malaki ang lamang), basta binigay lang namin ‘yung best namin,” he also said. “Tulungan kami sa defense, especially sa defense. Ayun, buti nag-work.”

That Yap could make such an impact in an international game, at age 36, did not surprise head coach Yeng Guiao.

“Batang-bata nga ang tingin ko kay James kanina,” he joked.

“Pero it’s really the maturity, the wisdom of the years, the experience,” Guiao explained. “Hindi na sila kinakabahan pagka international game, hindi sila natataranta, alam na nila 'yung takbo ng officiating.”

“Nagamit lahat ni James 'yun, at ini-impart niya pa sa kaniyang mga kasama,” he added.

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