For the first time in his Philippine Basketball Association career, two-time Most Valuable Player James Yap is ditching his familiar No.18 jersey and will use the No.15 uniform normally being worn by the other James — Sena — when the seven-time league champion starts playing for Blackwater in the coming Philippine Cup on February 28.
Yap confirmed it to PinoyStep.com in an exclusive interview.
“Number 15 is memorable for me because that’s the date of my birthday,” said Yap, who felt grateful to Sena, who gave way for one of the league’s all-time greatest players in using that jersey number.
Yap was born on February 15, 1982 and will be turning 42 a week from now.
There were speculations that Yap might use jersey No.9 in honor of his idol, the late great Samboy Lim, who also coached him during his amateur days in the Philippine Basketball League with Welcoat.
Sena, on the other hand, is more than willing to let Yap use jersey No.15.
“Matic yan,” said Sena, adding that he will use No.31 instead, which is also his birthdate.
Troy Rosario, who joined Blackwater last season, currently wears the No.18 jersey for the Bossing.
