YAP CAN’T WAIT TO PLAY AGAIN
IT won’t be until Thursday when two-time Most Valuable Player James Yap gets the chance to see action for Rain or Shine in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) that resumes on Wednesday in a semi-bubble setup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
“I am still conditioning myself in the last five days after undergoing a minor knee operation,” Yap told Businessmirror on Tuesday. “And I am becoming more confident to play because of coach Chris [Gavina]. He gives me a lot of encouragement.”
A 17-year veteran, Yap underwent arthroscopic procedure to keep his left knee in top form last
April.
“I have to be 100 percent once I decide to return,” he said. “I think it’s just a matter of time.”
That matter of time could be on Thursday when the Elasto Painters take on the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters at 4:35 p.m.
Rain or Shine was 4-2 won-lost and Phoenix was 1-4 when the Philippine Cup was halted last August 3 because of the rising cases of Covid-19 infections. The league played its 46th season at the Ynares Arena but couldn’t resume its 46th season because of the heightened restrictions in Metro Manila. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, however, got the go-signal from the national government and Pampanga local government unit to resume play on Wednesday.
TNT Tropang Giga (30) clashes with winless Blackwater (0-4) at 12:30 p.m., San Miguel Beer (3-1) collides with Terrafirma (0-4) at 3 p.m. and Meralco (4-1) faces Magnolia (4-0) at 6 p.m. Marcial and the members of the PBA board of governors thanked Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, Pampanga Third District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and the members of the DHVSU board of trustees for supporting the league’s return to action.
Each member of the PBA family tested negative for the virus on Monday thus resulting to the season’s resumption in Pampanga, which is classified as a modified general community quarantine area.
Yap, 39, said he wants to win a championship in the last of his extended three-year contract with Rain or Shine.
“My goal is to bring my team to the semifinals. But if you’ll ask me, I want to win a championship and it’s doable,” said Yap, a seven-time PBA champion who last played November last year in his team’s losing effort to Ginebra in the Clark bubble. “I still have a few days left in practice before I regain my overall form.”
Gavina welcomed the return of the former University of the East hotshot.
“It’s another offensive weapon that I can utilize,” said Gavina, adding that his main focus for now is to allow Yap to feel the game. “We’re hoping to bring the best version of James, we’re hoping also to get his stamina, timing and game chemistry, but he looks good.
He is mentally prepared.”
Thursday’s other game pits a now Kiefer Ravena-less NLEX (2-2) against Alaska (2-3) at 2 p.m.
Ravena left for Japan last Wednesday to complete his
negotiations with the Shiga Lakestars in the Japanese B. League.
The former Ateneo standout will be resuming his playing career in Japan, but is still obliged to fulfill his obligations with NLEX and the PBA in the Philippine Cup.