The return to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila could be the reason why the flight back home of Rain or Shine’s James Yap has been cancelled Saturday.
Yap got a tentative August 11 flight back to the Philippines via Qatar, but was informed by his travel agency a few days later that the Gulf nation has cancelled the flight from Doha to Manila.
“Na-cancel, sayang. Hindi ko din alam kung dahil dun (MECQ)… baka,” said Yap, a two-time Most Valuable Player and member of the 40 Greatest Players in the PBA, in a message to Manila Bulletin.
“Abang uli ng flight para makauwi,” he added.
Yap and partner Michela Cazzola are in Italy with their kids Michael James and Francesca Michelle since early June.
They are staying at the Cazzola residence in the province of Ravenna, three hours away from Rome.
The family celebrated the fourth birthday of Michael James – who Yap fondly calls “Bugoy” – last Saturday. Last month, their daughter Francesca Michelle turned two years old.
Although he is in Italy, the 6-foot-2 Yap continues to work out with his daily conditioning made up of running, lifting weights at a local gym, yoga at a park and shooting drills in public basketball court.
“Kahit naman na andito ako tuloy lang ako sa pakundisyon para pag balik sa Pilipinas, ready ako sakaling balik na din ang ensayo sa Rain or Shine. Importante kundisyon,” said Yap.
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Since the implementation of the lockdown last March 15, the PBA only had its opener in the Philippine Cup last March 8 to start the 45th season before Commissioner Willie Marcial cancelled the games and practice sessions.
The league eyes its return this month after it was given the go signal to return to practice session through the Joint Administrative Order from the Games and Amusements Board, Philippine Sports Commission and Department of Health.