Happy Birthday, Jose Bernardo “JB” Yango ( Aug 20 )

Happy Birthday, Jose Bernardo “JB” Yango

“The Cuyapo Kid”
1982 PBA Rookie direct hire
3x PBA champion
1986 PBA Mythical Second Team member
San Beda Red Lions slot man 
1978 Asian Youth gold medalist
1981 SEAG gold medalist 
2x NCAA champion

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

Jayvee, who was born in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija twenty five years ago, admitted he was an Yco fan when he was a lad. The youngest of six kids sired by Felipe Yango to the former Purificacion Verzola, Jayvee was introduced to the sport by an uncle. Jayvee fondly remembers when he would watch MICAA games on Television and root for Freddie Webb and company not knowing that one day, he'd actually get instructions from coach Webb and now from Sonny Reyes. "Idolo ko talaga sila. Natatandaan ko pa sina Egay Gomez, Webb, Tolentino, Reyes, Valenzona. Tumangkad naman ako, kaya nagtuloy na ako sa basketball." Later, he was accompanied by a brother-in-law, Bing Cagungon, to try-out for a slot in the University of Santo Tomas Nuggets roster under Francis Wilson. He made it only in the reserve list. He left the team after a year and played for NCBA in the MUCAA. After high school, he went to San Beda, took up Commerce and played for the Red Lions in the NCAA for two years (1977 to 1979). In 1979, he joined Yco in the MICAA and his dreams partially turned into flesh. Jayvee was a standout in the amateur ranks as he was a member of the RP Youth squad in 1977, the RP ABC team in 1978, the RP Asian games quintet in 1981, and the RP SEAG five in 1981. In 1982, he turned pro and played for Tanduay. He was a strong contender for Rookie of the Year honors in 1982 but he did not make it. "Okay lang kasi talagang minalas ang Tanduay. Hindi kami pumapasok sa round of four. Kulang tuloy ako sa puntos. But then, talaga namang magaling si Marte. He deserves the award. Siguro ako, Most Improved Player na lang." Statistics show that in 1982, Yango played a total of 41 games and logged 1120:10 minutes. He shot 59.94 percent from the 2-point region, had a 68.35 norm in the 15 foot line, hauled down a total of 256 rebounds (162 defensive and 94 offensive), doled out 53 assists, had 12  steals and 23 shot blocks. He averaged 10.73 points per game. Last year, Jayvee played 50 games and logged 1179:45 minutes. His field goal percentage dipped slightly with 57.42 '205 out of 357. He improved his foul shooting with 78.74. He had 255 rebounds (159 defensive and 96 offensive). He also had 54 assists, 8 steals and 34 sejections. He had 10.20 points per game. When Tanduay Rhum decided to undergo a major overhaul as a part of its cost reduction program, retained on the team were JB Yango, Rey Lazaro, Zaldy Latoza, and Ely Capacio. The first three still had a year in their contracts with Tanduay, while Capacio works as an executive at Tanduay. Tanduay took in seven drop-outs and a rookie and formed a team in early February of this year. "Had we started practicing earlier, we could have blended well by now. Tingnan mo nga, kahit hindi pa masyadong nagjejel, marami na kaming pinahihirapan. Hindi naman kami basta-basta matatalo. Lumalaban naman kami, kaya lang kinakapos sa bandang huli." Jayvee was obviously referring to Tanduay's game against formidable Beer Hausen. Tanduay led by as much as 17 points before bowing to the Hauseners, 114-116. The game was decided in the last second as Mon Fernandez laid up the winning basket.