THE pressure to perform is now on James Yap.
This after the celebrated PBA superstar finally signed a one-year deal with the Blackwater Bossing where he will join a team looking to move up the league hierarchy starting in the coming All Filipino Cup.
Asked why he only signed a single-season contract, Yap has a quick response.
“Hindi ako nanghingi ng mahabang contract kasi gusto ko muna sukatin ang katawan ko, medyo matagal rin tayo hindi nakalaro ng mahabang oras. Kaya gusto ko timbangin pa sarili ko,” said Yap, who is turning 42 on Thursday.
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“Aminado naman tayo na may edad na tayo. Pero happy naman ako kasi never ako nagpabaya sa katawan at kundisyon ko,” said the soft-spoken pride of Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
True to his statement, even though he has not been given enough playing minutes at Rain or Shine, where he only played for 3 games in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup, Yap made it a point to frequent the gym and engage in cycling.
“Nag-ba bike ako madalas, di ko lang pino-post. Syempre, alam mo na secret natin yun,” he said laughing.
In fact, some friends of Yap bared that the sweet-shooting guard would often ride in the mountains of Teresa, Rizal and Marilaque, which is not a joke to climd considering its daunting ascent.
The 6-2 Yap has even maintained his San Mig Coffee Mixers playing weight of 192 pounds.
Sy, for his part, is elated to have secured the signature of Yap, believing that the 2-time PBA MVP can still be a valuable asset offensively for his team.
The amiable team owner also bared how he immediately tasked his brother and Blackwater team governor Silliman Sy to start a series of negotiations with Yap right after his contract at Rain or Shine expired last January 18.
“James still has it. I am sure of that. Looking at his stats this conference, it’s not that bad considering that he only played on limited minutes in a few games,” said Sy while rattling off the 5 points and 1 rebound on a 9.74-minute average per game of his newest superstar in just 3 games with the Elastopainters.
Asked if Yap can bring back his old self at Blackwater, Sy replied with optimism.
“Not 100 percent siguro nung dati, but for us, James bringing in just his 70 percent self, happy na kami run. Kasi we knew his fans would be so proud seeing him play at a high level once again.
"Of course, James wants that, too. A born-winner like him wants to always be in his A-game,” said Sy of Yap who has won seven PBA championships with the Magnolia franchise from 2004-2016.
James still a triple-double threat?
Sy then turned to his newly signed star, “James, ano kaya mo pa bang mag triple double?”
Yap replied: “Pwede naman, boss: 10 points, 10 claps, 10 high fives!”
The crowd, mostly employees and team members of Blackwater, erupted in laughter.
The star power of Yap was felt immediately as fans have been trooping to the Ronac Gym since Thursday and even on Friday after the contract signing.
Sy hopes that Yap’s entry to Blackwater will inspire his young players, and even his veteran teammates, to be at their best.
Meanwhile, Yap, who is a councilor in San Juan City’s first district, was non-committal if he will seek a contract extension by February 2025.
“Tignan ko muna yung kundisyon ko then dun tayo decide. Dati kasi 24 hours basketball ako. Ngayon, alam mo na. 12 hours ako pag serbisyo sa mga kababayan natin sa San Juan then 6 hours na lang basketball ko. Magiging 8 hours o 10 hours lang yan pag may mga laro na kami,” said Yap.
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