MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters made sure that James Yap is not going anywhere after signing the Negrense guard to a three-year contract extension on Thursday.
Painters team owner Raymond Yu confirmed the re-signing of the Escalante City, Negros Occidental native Yap amid online rumors that he will be traded to another team.
“James is the face of this franchise and he will continue to remain as the face of this team for the next three years,” said Yu. “I have no idea where the trade rumors came but it is not true.”
“Since we got him in a trade (from Magnolia Hotshots for Paul Lee), our plans is for James to end his PBA career with us,” he added. “James in fact asked me if we plan to trade him but I told him that it is not true.”
Atty. Mamerto Mondragon, Painters’ team governor, said that it is no brainer for the team to extend Yap’s contract after averaging 9.3 points and 3.0 rebounds during the 2018 Governors’ Cup.
“He’s very hardworking and has really helped the team as well on the marketing side. (He) never complains when we have promotional visits in the province,” Mondragon said. “We just told him to keep working hard and give his all.”
Aside from the two-time PBA MVP, the Painters have also given veterans Norbert Torres and Eduardo Daquioag new contracts, while also signing their rookies Javee Mocon and Rodolfo Alejandro./PN
