BY WAYLON GALVEZ
After two months of working out religiously, Rain or Shine’s James Yap felt he was ready for his 17th year in the PBA which is now on its 45th season.
Too bad, the pro league, like the rest of major sporting events across the globe, fell victim to coronavirus pandemic.
Yap was saddened by the league stoppage, saying he was physically and mentally ready to return after getting injured late last season.
“Excited na talaga ako maglaro sana,” said Yap Thursday from his home in Alabang. “Pinaghandaan ko itong season and, of course ng buong team.”
“Kaso nga talagang antay lang muna. Yes nakakalungkot nah into muna, pero sa ngayon mas importante safety ng bawat. Mahirap na magkasakit, delikado. Ang paglalaro naman anjan lang yan, yung buhay ng tao importante.”
There is no timetable yet as to when the government would give the league the green light to resume.
Yap, a former two-time PBA Most Valuable Player, said he is excited this season considering he is on his second year of a three-year contract he signed with the ROS franchise of Terry Que and Raymund Yu.
Yap joined the team before the 2016-17 Season in a stunning one-on-one blockbuster trade for playmaker Paul Lee, who was shipped to Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok.
Following the expiration of his old contract, Yap signed a maximum three-year extension with the Elasto Painters. At that time, there were questions if this could be his final three years in the league.
“Mag-retire na ba ako?” Yap asked laughing.
“Siguro… well tignan na lang muna natin kung magiging maganda ba yung performance ko this season, and next season. Siyempre overall performance din ng Rain or Shine, importante yun.”
“Kung OK pa naman at kaya pa… why not? Pero kung hindi na… tignan natin,” he added.
Yap said his goal now is to help the team win a championship. So far, the team already owns two PBA titles under coach Yeng Guiao – the last of which was during the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Aside from Yap, other returning veterans for ROS are Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood, comebacking Ryan Arana, third year guard Rey Nambatac and sophomore forward Javee Mocon.
The team of coach Caloy Garcia has four rookies in Prince Rivero, Adrian Wong, Vince Tolentino and Clint Doliguez. Of the four, Yap said he sees himself to Doliguez, a fellow Negros Occidental native.
“Parehas kaming wing player e, taga Escalante din sya, and parehas kami ng pinagaralan nung high school (Tay Tung). Masipag, matalino maglaro, saka basta open tira lang – parang ako,” Yap said.
