MANILA – Negrense guard James Yap will not be suiting up for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup, which will tip off at the latter part of November.
Painters team governor Atty. Mamerto Mondragon said in a statement on Thursday that they want the Escalante City, Negros Occidental-native Yap to focus on his political career.
“We would like him to concentrate and focus on his campaign,” Mondragon said. “Our team recognizes the need for him to touch base with his constituents.”
Painters assistant coach Jireh Ibanes confirmed to Panay News in a separate interview that the 39-year-old gunner will not play in the PBA 2021 season-ending conference.
“James will not be suiting up for Rain or Shine (in the PBA Governors’ Cup),” Ibanes said. “We want him to exert all his efforts and time on the campaign.”
Yap is running for councilor in the 1st District of San Juan City under the ticket of incumbent mayor Francis Zamora, who himself is a former basketball cager with the De La Salle University Green Archers in the UAAP.
Aside from Yap, there were also other former PBA players in Zamora’s lineup in Paul Artadi and Don Allado, and former PBA Developmental League and MPBL player Ervin Vijandre.
The 39-year-old Yap has said in a previous interview that his entry into politics has the blessing of the Painters management as well as the PBA and plans to return to playing after.
“Nagpaalam ako sa PBA kung puwede ako tumakbo, sa management ng Rain or Shine. Sinabi naman nila, puwede,” the two-time PBA MVP said.
He added: “Tinanong ako ng team kung ano raw plano ko, kung magre-retire na ba ako. Ang sabi ko naman, pwede bang kung papalarin ako, habang councilor ako sa San Juan, pwede ba akong maglaro sa PBA? Ang sabi naman nila pwede raw.”/PN
