JUST like any aspiring basketball player from the provinces, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters guard James Yap said his first experience of the sport came while playing on makeshift basketball courts.
In an interview with Julie Amos and Popoy Navarro at BEST Center’s Bida BEST Live podcast, Yap said he used to compete and beat tricycle drivers in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on three-point shooting.
“Naalala ko noon na talagang lagi akong nasa basketball court and also naalala ko na kumukuha ako ng 50 centavos sa pitaka ng dad ko kasi nakikilaban ako sa mga tricycle driver ng three-point shooting,” he said.
“Kahit mas maliit ako noon compared sa mga tricycle drivers, natatalo ko sila. Kaya ‘yung 50 centavos na kinuha ko, lumaki,” he added. “Kaya kapag uwi ko sa bahay, sinosoli ko sa pitaka ng dad ko ‘yung kinuha ko para hindi halata.”
Yap – a two-time PBA’s Most Valuable Player awardee – said it was his uncle who saw his basketball potential at a young age. He was brought to study and play for Bacolod Tay Tung during his elementary days.
Following his stint with Bacolod Tay Tung, which includes him representing the school in Manila tournaments, Yap was recruited to play for Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix where he learned to become a disciplined player.
“Masasabi ko na ‘yung stint ko siguro sa Hua Siong played a role sa development ko,” Yap said. “Kasi doon talaga disiplinado kami. May oras to study, maaga ang lights out.”
It was also during his time with Hua Siong where opportunities to play in Manila came after his school played in an exhibition game during the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) finals in Bacolod City.
“Exhibition game ng Hua Siong vs. Bacolod Tay Tung ‘yon then nagkataon na live sa TV, then nung may opportunity dun sa game, nag-dunk ako. Kaya ‘yung mga taga Maynila nagtawagan. Tinatanong sino ba ‘yung dumakdak during MBA exhibition,” he said.
“I was able to play in Manila sa Philippine Basketball League juniors then nung magco-college na ako, niyaya ako ni boss Bong (Tan), since sila ang may-ari ng University of the East, kaya doon na ako naglaro,” he added.
Now 39, the 6-foot-2 Yap is a seven-time PBA champion, all during his time with the Purefoods franchise. He plans to retire when his contract ends with the Painters this year./PN
