PASSI CITY, Iloilo – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters guard James Yap is more than excited to play in front of Ilonggos in the 2023 PBA All-Star Game this Sunday at the City of Passi Arena here.
The Iloilo Province was close to the heart of the Escalante City, Negros Occidental native Yap; he spent his high school years with Iloilo Central Commercial High School, now known as Hua Siong College of Iloilo.
“Medyo nagulat ako na binoto ako ng mga PBA fans (na maglaro sa PBA All-Star) kasi naalala pa pala nila ako kahit medyo matagal akong nawala sa liga,” the two-time PBA MVP said.
“Special pa kasi sa Iloilo uli lalaruin. May soft spot sa akin ang Iloilo kasi diyan ako naglaro noong high school,” he added. “Also, this is a good chance for me to reconnect with some of the people na tumulong at sumuporta sa akin diyan.”
Yap, however, was not present during the first few days of the PBA All-Star Weekend as he attended some matters related with his job as a councilor in 1st District of San Juan City.
“Hahabol na lang tayo sa Linggo sa Passi City kasi may three-day convention ng mga councilors sa Manila and kailangan kong umattend doon pero sure akong maglalaro ako sa Sunday,” Yap said.
“Pasasayahin natin ang mga fans kasi ang PBA All-Star Game ay para talaga sa mga fans. Ayaw naman natin silang mabigo, lalo na ‘yung mga bumoto sa akin,” added the 17-time PBA All-Star.
The 41-year-old Yap first played a PBA All-Star exhibition game in this province in 2018 when the annual league festivity was held at the University of San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo City.
On the part of Yap, this is his second time to play at the City of Passi Arena as he was part of the Painters team that played against TNT Tropang Giga in the same venue during the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup elimination round game.
Yap, who could be on his final PBA All-Star Game this year, is set to play for Team Scottie, which is to be handled by his Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao./PN
