By Waylon Galvez
PBA superstar James Yap of Rain or Shine said he will not rush his return to form, claiming he’s not getting any younger anymore.
He has already discussed the matter with coaches and team trainers as he’s expected return to training next week.
A two-time Most Valuable Player, the 38-year-old Yap said that while he has done strengthening and conditioning the past five months, going back to the team’s practice session is different.
Yap said that unlike when he was younger, his body reacts differently now that he is into his 17th season in the pro league.
“Iba na din siempre ngayon, ingat na din sa injury,” Yap said in a phone interview Friday with Manila Bulletin-Tempo. “Medyo unti-unti, dahan-dahan lang so yung ko body maka-adjust.”
“Nasa condition naman of course, maski nasa Italy nagawa ko naman lahat ng puwedeng gawin ti stay in shape. Pero iba siempre ang game shape – running and shooting, ito na ang dapat gawin.”
Yap said he was in good form prior to the start of the 45th PBA Season last March but it was halted following the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Late last month, the PBA was given the green light by the government to resume practice sessions.
The other day, the PBA board – chaired by Ricky Vargas – announced the resumption of the all-Filipino conference on October 9 in a ‘bubble’ facility in Clark, Pampanga.
Yap left for Italy in June with fiancée Michela Cazzola, their four-year-old son Michael James and two-year-old daughter Francesca Michelle. He returned three weeks ago due to the PBA return.
Yap tooka swab test Friday – his second since arriving from Italy – at the Makati Medical Center as part of the health protocol before he could rejoin the Rain or Shine practice session at the Reyes gym in Mandaluyong City.
He is in the first group of Elaso Painters players with teammates Norbert Torres, Jewel Ponferada, and Sidney Onwubere under assistant coach Chris Gavina for the Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule from 8 to 9 in the morning.
