James Yap made it clear that retirement isn’t necessarily his next move at the end of the PBA Governors’ Cup after giving the impression that he’s bound to when he chose to sign a contract shorter than initially offered to him.
The 40-year-old was presented with a one-year deal by the ball club but opted to go for a one-conference pact ahead of the season-ending conference.
His decision to do so is to gauge if he can balance doing councilor duties while resuming his career at the same time, according to Yap himself.
“Tignan muna natin,” said the two-time league MVP, who won a council seat in the first district of San Juan in the last May elections.
“Actually, binibigyan ako ng one year, pero sabi ko sa management, kay Boss Raymund [Yu] at Boss Terry [Que], na one conference muna kasi kailangan ko i-balance ‘yung public service ko sa basketball.”
“Kasi mamaya, ‘di ko magampanan ‘yung trabaho ko as a councilor sa San Juan. so kailangang i-balance ko muna,” Yap added.
And so far, the 19-year veteran likes how he has been juggling matters. “So far, okay naman dahil nakaka-attend tayo ng sessions, nakakapunta tayo sa mga barangay kung may event,” he said.
“Practices morning lang, 9 to 12, three hours. After that, may time ka na sa ‘yong trabaho,” he furthered.
“One conference muna then tignan natin. So far okay naman, nama-manage naman ng maayos.”
Yap played his first game back since 2021 on Sunday night and played like he never left. He dropped 14 points, 12 of which he made in the second period alone to help his side forge a 54-all deadlock versus Meralco at the half.
It was too unfortunate, however, that he didn’t receive the welcome he hoped for. The Elasto Painters got blown out, 105-87.
Nonetheless, Yap felt glad to be back on the floor again after being away for almost two years, thankful as well for being given the opportunity.
“Feeling ko, rookie ako,” he told reporters moments after the match at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
“‘Yung feeling na na-feel ko before, nung 2004 — kinakabahan. ‘Di ko alam kung kaya.
“I’m happy na na-welcome ako ng maayos ng fans, so thank you sa kanila at syempre kay Coach Yeng [Guiao], binigyan nya ako ng chance uli na makapag laro ng basketball,” he added. “So far, okay naman.”
Now, getting that winning feeling again is what he’s going after. “Happy ako na yung pinaghirapan ko nadala ko sa game na to: yung lahat ng shooting, plyo, extra work. Very happy. Pero ‘yun nga lang, medyo ‘di maganda kinalabasan.”
“First game, it’s normal, lahat excited, out of control minsan. But I’m sure hetong first game na to merong natutunan kami as a team. Kasi [halos] 20 points, masyadong malaki. I’m sure, bounce back kami next game,” he said.
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
