Yap ready to return as practice resumes
Rain or Shine superstar James Yap has returned to lifting weights the past week, just in time for the announcement that the PBA is resuming team practice after getting go signal from the Inter-Agency Task Force.
“Nakapag-buhat din finally, puro kasi ako takbo for almost a month,” Yap told the Manila Bulletin from Milano Marittima, Italy.
“Timing na din kasi makakabalik na nga ang teams sa pag-ensayo, so pagbalik ko Manila nasa kundisyon.”
The IATF approved the return of both pro basketball and football via team practice, as recommended by the Games and Amusement Board, sparking talks of an eventual restart of the 45th PBA season.
Yap, a two-time PBA MVP, said he is ready to return to practice with the Elasto Painters as soon as he gets the first flight back home.
“Ready naman ako. Actually nagpahanap na ako sa travel agent ko ng flight pabalik ng Manila… yung iba kasi kinacancel yung flight. Pero may makukuha naman ako pabalik before mag-resume ensayo,” said Yap.
Last June 1, Yap and Italian partner Michela left for Italy with their kids Michael James and Francesca Michelle due to “family matters.”
Yap said he is returning home first, with his family following a few weeks later.
“Alam naman na noon pa na mauuna ako uuwi sa kanila pag pinayagan na mag-practice,” said Yap. “Siyempre mami-miss ko sila, pero trabaho ‘to eh, talagang uuwi ako ngayong balik na ang PBA.”
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said last Saturday that he will be meeting with board representatives this week to finalize guidelines, including practice schedules in different training venues.
Marcial is also meeting the coaches and team managers on Friday.
Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia said there is no exact date yet on their return to practice since that would all depend on the board, and the discussion of coaches as to when to restart.
As for now, Garcia said they are looking for a training venue.
“Actually we’re training at the Reyes Gym (in Mandaluyong City) before the lockdown. We’re considering that as our venue but we need to find out first kung kami lang ba ang gagamit ng gym,” said Garcia.
“Under the health protocol kasi ng PBA, kailangan sanitized ang gym, so kung ipapa-sanitize namin ang gym tapos baka naman mamaya may gagamit na iba, hindi naman pwede na ganun.”