By WAYLON GALVEZ
Two-time MVP James Yap of Rain or Shine is entering the final year of a three-year extension contract.
Will it be the end of a colorful career?
ROS bosses Raymund Yu and Terry Que don’t think so.
“Sa tingin ko kaya pa ni James na makipag-compete sa PBA,” said Yu. “Kung sakali baka puwede pa ilang years siya maglaro.”
“Walang bisyo si James, so I think good for two years pa siya,” said Que.
That, of course, depends on Yap’s decision since he will be 39 by the time the deal ends.
In the previous Philippine Cup inside the ‘bubble’ in Pampanga, he averaged 7.10 points and 2.10 rebounds.
He moved to third place in the all-time three-point made with 1,172, behind fellow University of the East Stalwart Allan Caidic (1,242) and Fil-Am player Jimmy Alapag (1,250).
Yu said that his wish for Yap is to break the three-point record.
“Sana nga ma-break nya ang record,” added Que.
“Kung ang season sana noong huli three conferences, then itong parating three conferences din malaki actually ang chance na ma-break ni James. But since ganoon nga ang nangyari, naging limited ang games,” said Yu.
The league is set to open this April for the Philippine Cup.
For his part, Yap said he is thankful on the trust and confidence of his Rain or Shine bosses.
“Of course ang laking bagay for me as a player na yung mga boss malaki ang binibigay nila na tiwala,” said Yap, who won MVP honors in 2006 and 2010 and won seven championships all with his former team Magnolia (formerly Purefoods, B-Meg and San Mig Super Coffee).
“Kaya dapat lang na suklian ko by getting my self ready for the final year of my contract with the team. Dapat na prepared ako physically ang mentally, healthy ako pagdating ng conference.”
Asked on his thoughts of playing a couple more years, the 60foot-2 Yap said anything is possible.
“Puwede naman… kaya pa naman. Pero siyempre it’s up to the bosses na din siguro,” said Yap.
