By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – Negrense James Yap is more than excited to work with returning Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao that he joined the team practice despite the absence of a contract.
According to the Escalante City, Negros Occidental native, he is in the process of regaining his old form, and conditioning before approaching the Painters management for contract talks.
“I am excited to work with coach Yeng. ‘Yung kanyang sistema, alam ko na, may idea na ako. Lahat kami sa Rain or Shine, excited,” Yap said when interviewed by the media during ROS’ Tuesday practice.
“As of now, wala pa akong kontrata. Nandito ako para magpakundisyon. Mahirap naman na makipag-usap ka sa management na hindi ka ready. Nandito ako, tinitignan ko sarili ko kung saan ako. That’s the time na mag-uusap kami ng management,” he added.
Guiao, for his part, said he is also looking forward to handling the two-time PBA MVP awardee even if he has already mentored Yap twice before in the national men’s basketball team.
The seven-time PBA champion coach also said that he is set to talk with the Negrense cager to fix and balance his schedule with the team and with his job as a councilor in San Juan City.
“Actually, I’ve coached him already sa national team. We work well together. Naiintindihan ko rin ‘yung desisyon niya, konsehal siya sa San Juan,” said Guiao, who steered the Painters to its two PBA titles.
“I think we have to talk about how we can put together a working schedule and how we can maximize ‘yung participation niya sa team para hindi rin mag-suffer ‘yung work naman niya as councilor of San Juan,” he added.
The 40-year-old Yap said it will be up to the Rain or Shine management to decide on whether to give him the chance to play again while serving as San Juan councilor at the same time.
“Scheduling, honestly, doon ako nahihirapan. Nag-usap na kami ni coach Yeng about that. I-lay down ko ‘yung schedule ko, tignan natin kung ano comment ng management at ni coach Yeng,” said Yap./PN
