BACOLOD CITY – Back to No. 18 jersey for his 18th All-Star appearance.
James Yap is celebrating his homecoming to the city where he first blossomed as a basketball player by returning to his old and iconic jersey number in the 2024 PBA All-Star Game on Sunday, March 24 at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum here.
The Bossing star was grateful to the fans for their continuous support to him even now that he’s already on the latter part of his career. Yap was named to the all-star through the Bacolod votes.
“Siyempre, blessed talagang simula rookie year ko hanggang ngayon, 18 years na, kumbaga sa lahat ng fans, salamat sa walang sawang suporta,” said Yap who will be playing for Team Barroca.
“Pang-18 ‘yung jersey ko before, pang-18 years ko na ‘to. Ngayon, itong all star na ‘to, 18 ‘yung number ko. So ‘yon, excited. ‘Yung pang-18 years ko, dito pa sa kung saan ako lumaki, kung saan ako nag-aral ng highschool,” added the pride of Escalante, Negros Occidental – just two hours drive from Bacolod City.
Yap was not only grateful to still be part of the all-star festivities but even more blessed to become the player with most all-star appearances in league history with 18.
“Ako ‘yung pinakamarmi so sobrang blessed kasi hindi ko naman ineexpect na aabot sa ganito katagal kung hindi sa tulong ni God and siyempre mga fans kasi sila ‘yung nagvote dito eh para masali sa All-Star,” said Yap who was previously in tie with Asi Taulava with 17 appearances.
With that, Yap hopes to reciprocate the love from the fans not only by letting them take a photo with him or signing their jerseys but also putting up a good performance in the All-Star game and three-point shootout.
“Walang PBA kung walang fans. So itong All-Star talagang ginawa ‘to para makipaghalubilo sa mga fans, kung gusto nila magpapicture, alam mo ‘yon sa mga idols nila,” said the 42-year-old veteran.
“Ang mindset ko lang lagi kapag nasa kapag All-Star, kung kaya mo i-accomodate lahat ng magpapapicture sa’yo, i-aacommodate mo kasi ito ‘yung time na makapagthank you ka sa kanila sa suporta nila sa PBA,” he added.
