BACOLOD – James Yap will be making a record 18th straight appearances in the PBA All-Stars this week in perhaps the most enduring streaks in the annals of the mid-season spectacle.
And so as history beckons, SPIN.ph asked the 42-year-old Yap what he considers the most memorable of those 18 All-Star stint.
He can’t seem to pick out a particular one, but considering he’ll be setting a new league record right in the very province where he was born, makes this one truly special.
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“Lahat memorable. Pero siyempre ito kasi pang 18 years tapos dito pa ginawa kung saan ako lumaki, kung saan ang probinsiya ko,” said Yap, who arrived in the City of Smiles on the eve of the two-day festivities.
Yap, the two-time league MVP, was born in nearby Escalante, which is some two hours away from this Negros Occidental capital. He also spent his early years of high school studying and playing at the Taytung High School before transferring to Iloilo Commercial High School where he eventually began to carve name in basketball, enough for scouts to offer him the opportunity to play basketball in Manila.
He was an All-Star right in his rookie year in 2004 and actually played in Bacolod during the 2008 edition of the event as part of the South All-Stars which beat their North counterpart in overtime, 163-158.
The former UAAP MVP from University of the East was All-Star MVP in 2012 when he scored 44 points in guiding the Veterans to a 176-144 win over the Rookies/Sophomores/Veterans at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag.
Yap was also a two-time winner of the Long Distance Three-Point shootout in 2009 when he beat Dondon Hontiveros and Gary David for the title at the Smart Araneta Coliseum while still with the Purefoods franchise, and then regained the crown nine years later by dispatching Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo in Batangas as he donned the Rain or Shine jersey at the age of 36.
But for all those feats and achievements, Big Game James is certainly looking forward to Sunday’s main game between Team Japeth and Team Mark.
“Pang 18 years ko na ito (All-Star), tapos itong All-Star na ito 18 yung number ko,” he added.
Yap previously wore No. 18, but has since changed to No. 15 when he transferred to Blackwater prior to the start of the Philippine Cup.
He was previously tied with the now-retired Asi Taulava for the most number of All-Star stint at 17, but is poised to break free from the Fil-Tongan center once he officially enters the court of the University of St. La Salle gymnasium during the game.
Team Mark coach Jorge Gallent already ascertained he’ll make Yap a part of his starting unit, making him a starter in all of the 18 All-Star games he played.
James thanks fans
Yap of course, thanked PBA fans for always voting him as part of the annual All-Stars.
“Kami ni Asi before 17 (All-Star), so kumbaga ngayon 18 ako na lang mag isa,” he said in between laughs. “Sobrang blessed kasi hindi ko naman expect na aabot ako ng ganito katagal sa tulong ni God, sa tulong ng mga fans.”
Yap hasn’t had the time to visit his family here, but expects his family to come and watch him on the historic night.
“Yung family ko na lang ang pupunta rito kasi wala ng time. After nitong All-Star uwi na agad kasi may practice pa dahil ongoing yung conference,” he said.
While he’s not saying it will be his final All-Star appearance, Yap said he’ll definitely savor the significance of the special moment.
“I-enjoy ko itong moment na ito dahil hindi natin alam. Baka ito na yung … alam mo yun. Ito na yung last,” said the seven-time PBA champion.
“Depende sa mga fans kung gusto pa nila akong makita sa All-Star next year, di ba. Tignan natin. Kaya i-enjoy ko itong moment na nandito ako sa province ko.”
Basketball fans will certainly enjoy the moment, too, James.
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