MANILA – Rain or Shine veteran James Yap is not yet considering retiring from professional basketball following the expiration of his one-conference contract with the Elasto Painters.
According to the Escalante City, Negros Occidental-native Yap, he feels that he can still play for the Painters in the upcoming PBA season but will leave it to Rain or Shine management if they will give him another contract.
“See you next conference,” Yap said following the Painters’ last game of the conference against San Miguel Beermen. “Tignan natin pero mukhang kaya pa. Sa ngayon, masasabi ko naman na healthy ako.”
He added: “Mas kundisyon nga ako ngayon kesa nung last bubble. Mas healthy ako ngayon. Mas magaan ‘yung feeling ko. Tignan natin. Management na bahala. Sila Boss Raymond [Yu] na at Boss Terry [Que] at si Coach Yeng [Guiao], of course.”
In nine games played, Yap averaged 4.1 points and 1.7 minutes in 10.1 minutes. Among his best games was his 14-point output against Meralco Bolts and 11-point performance against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.
The 41-year-old Yap took almost a year off from the Elasto Painters in 2021 to pursue his political career, where he was elected as one of the councilors in the 2nd District of San Juan City.
Yap, a two-time PBA MVP awardee, made a return to the Painters earlier this year as he signed a one-conference contract with the squad as he said that he wants to assess his body first before agreeing to a longer deal.
Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, meanwhile, said that Yap will always have a spot in the team whether he decides to continue playing and the management give him another contract.
“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.”/PN
