The spotlight will fall on hometown boy James Yap as pacesetter Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants collide with the Air 21 Express at 4:30 p.m. today in a PBA Smart-Philippine Cup road game at the West Negros College Gym.

Born and raised in Escalante City , the 25-year-old Yap , Purefoods' chief gunner, will be playing his first game in the province since he turned pro in 2004.

“I'm happy to be here. Hopefully, I could come up with a good game to please the fans,” Yap told the DAILY STAR before joining his club for practice at the WNC Gym, which is hosting a PBA road game for the second time this year.

WNC, which also played host to the Alaska-Red Bull match in May, has left no stone unturned in its preparations and has even come up with measures to prevent the entry of persons using tampered tickets.

The 6-foot-3 Yap , who won the PBA Most Valuable Player award as a sophomore, is riding a rich vein of form, pouring 21 points in his team's 92-80 win over the Welcoat Dragons last Sunday.

It was Purefoods' 10 th victory in 13 games that pushed them two full games ahead of Red Bull and Alaska , both toting 8-win, 5-loss cards.

Yap said he is getting accustomed to the new rules being applied in the PBA, which is similar to the FIBA rules and calls for a more free-flowing yet physical game.

He admits he is not in 100 percent because of a recurring ankle injury but vowed to put up a good show for Negrense fans.

Yap is expected to join forces with Kerby Raymundo, Roger Yap and Rommel Adducul, who used to play for the Manila Metrostars in the now defunct-MBA, as they go up against an athletic Air 21 team.

With a 5-7 card, Air 21 is lying sixth in the standings and needs a win badly to strengthen its playoff hopes.

The Express are also hoping to avenge their 100-81 loss to Purefoods last month.

Wily forward Arwind Santos has put his off-court problems behind and has been spearheading the team's charge this conference.

Air 21 is coming off an 89-101 setback at the hands of Alaska last Wednesday.

The Express are also expecting big numbers from KG Canaleta, Ranidel De Ocampo, JC Intal and Doug Kramer. Starting point guard Wynne Arboleda, who sat out Wednesday's game, did not practice yesterday.*CPT

back to top

Purefoods-Air 21 tiff at WNC today
Nopsscea, Bacolod split Palaro honors
Visayas 35-Above football on
RP headed for worst SEAG finish