The much-awaited news has finally arrived. James Yap, the 41-year-old cager who has been a staple in the PBA for years, has ended his seven-year journey with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
“After much prayer and reflection, I have decided to end my journey as an Elasto Painter,” he posted on Instagram.
During his time with Rain or Shine, Yap wasn’t the same player who had been the face of the league for many years.
However, his stint with the Elasto Painters meant a lot to the franchise, so much so that they are planning to retire his no. 18 jersey.
Yap became a household name with the Purefoods franchise. After being drafted second overall by the team in 2004, he went on to win two MVP plums and seven championships, including the Grand Slam with coach Tim Cone. Then, to the surprise of his legion of fans, Yap was traded to Rain or Shine for Paul Lee.
Now, the player-turned-politician gets to continue his storied career in the PBA with Blackwater Bossing. The reality is, he may not be good enough to receive consistent 10 minutes per game anymore. He can still shoot, but he is a big issue on defense.
However, Blackwater should actually do the opposite and give him as many minutes as possible. This move will not only help the marketing of their team but could also help them lose games.
Losing games means a better pick in the upcoming deep 2024 draft. This could be a strategic move for Blackwater, as they look to build a stronger team for the future.
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