Retirement is not an option for two-time PBA Most Valuable Player James Yap, who brought his competitive spirit in helping his alma mater, Hua Siong College of Iloilo to the championship of the inaugural staging of the Fil-Chia Athletic Association Inc. 40-and-up tournament held recently.
Yap was a key figure in his team’s title run and continued to flash his old, deadly form while cracking the league’s Mythical First Team.
Although he didn’t give a hint whether he’s coming back to play in the PBA or not, Yap vowed to continue playing.
“Kung may Lamtex-Hua Siong ulit, andyan pa rin ako,” Yap said. “Magdi-defend rin ako ng championship.”
The 43-year-old Yap last saw action early last year in the PBA, playing for Blackwater, which still holds his rights, but team owner Dioceldo Sy informed Pinoystep.com that he’s open to release the player who served as the face of the big league for many years if ever the latter wishes to return and play in Asia’s pioneering professional basketball loop.
“We are in good terms,” Sy wrote via Messenger, referring to his relationship with Yap. “We can sign and release him”
Yap’s performance caught the fancy of fellow PBA legends Jerry Codinera and Ranidel de Ocampo, who are convinced that the former league superstar can still compete against younger players.
Perhaps, the only downside for Yap, should he intends to return to the PBA, is his busy schedule as he’s currently a reelected city councilor of San Juan.
San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora explained that as long as Yap’s basketball career will not run in conflict with his duties as a public servant, he’ll be supportive of the former University of the East star.
“As long as it won’t conflict his official tasking, wala naman problema yan,” added Zamora, who came in to support Yap during their team’s finals series against Xavier School bannered by Chris Tiu and Joseph Yeo.
“Nama-manage naman niya yung roles and responsibilities niya as a City Councilor. Of course,malaking bagay kay James ang basketball para makapag-inspire sa mga kabataan at mailayo sila sa bisyo.”
