If you are not interested to watch the playoffs match between twice-to-beat San Miguel Beermen and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, you have to think twice.
Sources told Spin.ph that the quarterfinal match between the two teams might be the last game of superstar James Yap as an Elasto Painter.
Yap, already entering his 20th year in the league, is still no doubt one of the most popular players in the PBA.
But his foray into politics and Father Time are slowly catching up on this player once dubbed as the “Man with a Million Moves”.
Yap not renewing contract with ROS
Sources from inside the Rain or Shine camp bared that Yap is no longer renewing his contract with the Terry Que-Raymund Yu franchise, where has been the main attraction and prime product endorser of their products.
“James is still in condition. He may not be as quick and agile as he once was, but his dedication in practice is still there. Yun lang, syempre, di gano nabibigyan ng playing time,” said the source.
Though, Yap has gamely accepted his cameo role in Rain or Shine system, Yeng Guiao’s fetish for utilizing and developing younger players, further adds to the frustration of the 41-year-old Escalante, Negros Occidental pride.
In this conference alone, Yap has only managed to play in three of the Elasto Painters’ games, tallying a measly 5 points and 1 rebound and 9.74 minutes average.
It is a far cry from his San Mig Coffee grand slam season wherein he averaged 12 points, on 37.1 percent shooting, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists, easily earning him the 2014 Governors’ Cup finals MVP plum.
Yap eyes return to Magnolia
Meanwhile, a source close to Yap bared that the soft-spoken former UE Red Warrior would want to return to Magnolia if given the chance, so he can play at least one last game.
“One last game lang sana okay na siya. If one conference, mabigyan chance. Pwede rin. Kaso di naman control ni James ang sitwasyon,” said the person close to Yap.
For now, another source bared that NLEX Road Warriors and the Blackwater Bossing are the two teams showing interest in nabbing the services of the 7-time PBA champion.
So, what’s next for the legendary James Yap?
Well, everything still depends on how Rain or Shine can extend their quarterfinal match with San Miguel.
Still, it might be imperative for all Yapsters, his fans club since 2003, to be present when the Elasto Painters face the Beermen on Friday at 4 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena.
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