By JONAS TERRADO
Rain or Shine’s James Yap has an opportunity to close in on becoming the new three-point king once the PBA resumes play.
Yap is currently fourth all-time in three-pointers made with 1,163, trailing only Jimmy Alapag (1,250), Allan Caidic (1,242) and Ronnie Magsanoc (1,171).
The two-time Most Valuable Player could easily pass Magsanoc for third during the course of the Philippine Cup, which is currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But he’ll have to meet his average over the last three seasons in order to put himself in a good position to overtake Alapag.
He averaged 54.7 made shots from rainbow country since making his debut with Rain or Shine in the 2016-17 season. Yap was traded from the Star Hotshots (now-Magnolia Hotshots) in exchange for Paul Lee.
Yap converted 54 triples during the 2019 season that saw Rain or Shine reach the semifinals of the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup. He also averaged 11.4 points in 33 games for the Elasto Painters.
Alapag surpassed Caidic during his final season in 2016 as a member of the Meralco Bolts. He hit 1,177 attempts for Talk ’N Text from 2003 to 2015 before suiting up for Meralco following a brief retirement.
Caidic previous held the status of being the three-point king after a stellar career with Great Taste/Presto/Tivoli franchise, San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra from 1987 to 1999. He became the first member of the 1,000 three-point club, doing so while wearing the Beermen uniform in a July 2, 1995 game against Pepsi Mega.
Magsanoc compiled his three-point career numbers from 1988 to 2002 with Formula Shell, Sta. Lucia and Purefoods.