Deadma na lang: James Yap vows not to let rival Abueva get on his nerves

“Natuto na tayo sa kanya. Hindi na ko maaapektuhan niya. 'Yun kasi talaga ang laro niya eh. The more na papansinin mo, the more na gumagaling si Calvin (Abueva) eh,” says San Mig star James Yap.

SAN Mig Coffee star James Yap has vowed not to let Alaska rookie Calvin Abueva get on his nerves, hours before the two teams renew their rivalry in the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals.

Yap and Abueva have had much publicized skirmishes in the past, the last in the Commissioner's Cup semifinals that degenerated into a war of words and dragged Yap's teammate Marc Pingris into the fray.

[For full story, see Pingris leaps to Yap defense, warns Abueva will get what he is asking for]

The two-time league MVP has also complained about the super rookie's 'dirty tactics,' prompting Abueva to fire back. [For full story, see Abueva to Yap: Kung ayaw n'ya masaktan, mag-chess na lang s'ya]

Yap, however, has vowed that there won't be a repeat of such incident as the two teams prepare to square off in another playoff, this time with the second-seeded Mixers enjoying twice-to-beat advantage.

“Hindi na ako magpapa-apekto sa kanya. Alam ko naman na lalong gumagaling si Abueva pag pinapansin mo. Mas namo-motivate siya pag naiinis ka,” Yap told Spin.ph on Wednesday.

“Natuto na tayo sa kanya. Hindi na ko maaapektuhan niya. 'Yun kasi talaga ang laro niya eh. The more na papansinin mo, the more na gumagaling si Calvin eh,” he added.

Yap said it was no different when Alaska plays other teams.

“Kahit nung Ginebra-Alaska finals, kitang kita na the more na pipisikalin mo siya, the more na ginaganahan. Pati team mo maapektuhan,” said the former University of the East standout.

Asked if he is longing for payback against the Aces after their semifinal loss in the last Commissioner's Cup playoffs, Yap replied: ‘Siyempre andyan 'yan. Ito ang pinakamagandang pagkakataon para makabawi kami.

“Pero inuulit ko, tutok muna kami sa game mamaya."

The San Mig star also refused to get ahead of himself, even if San Mig enjoys a distinct advantage in the playoff match-up.

“One game at a time lang muna kami. Saka na yung excitement. Focus muna kami sa game ngayon,” he said.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @snowbadua