MANILA – Negrense gunner James Carlos Yap is set to return to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters for the upcoming 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup which will open this Nov. 5.
The Escalante City, Negros Occidental native has agreed to a one-conference contract with the Elasto Painters, as announced by the team on their social media pages on Tuesday night.
“Another run for the Man with a Million Moves!” the Painters said in their post. “James Yap has signed a one-conference deal with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. He will play in the upcoming Commissioners Cup.”
This is the two-time PBA MVP’s second conference back in the PBA after taking a leave for almost a year to pursue his political career as a councilor in the 1st District in San Juan City.
During the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup, the 41-year-old Yap averaged a career-low 5.2 points in 10.0 minutes in 10 appearances as the Painters fell short of reaching the playoffs round.
Yap is the second Western Visayas-based player in the current Elasto Painters roster aside from newly-acquired forward Rey Mark Belo who traces his roots to Roxas City in Capiz province.
Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao said Yap will always have a spot in the team as the Negrense gunner remains efficient despite the limited playing time being given to him.
“Actually, (Yap played) above expectation, kasi the only reason he’s not getting more playing time is syempre, looking at the future of the team, you’d like to develop the team by prioritizing the playing time of the young guys, pero uubra pa siya,” Guiao said.
“Si James kasi, he will always have a slot since 15 naman yang slot na iyan,” he added. “Iyung minutes na nilaro niya, hindi mo masabing nasayang yung minuto niya. Siguro kung nabigyan ko siya ng additional playing time naka-contribute pa siya.”
The Painters have earlier signed rookie selections Luis Villegas and Keith Datu to rookie contracts while the coaching staff are still debating whether to give contracts to Sherwin Concepcion and Adrian Nocum./PN
