Two years ago when James Yap left for Indonesia to play for the national team during the 2018 Asian Games, he understood that he would be away from his family for just a short period of time.
Yap, who now plays for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, bid goodbye to his then two-year-old son Michael James knowing that in two weeks time they’ll be reunited.
However, the two-time PBA Most Valuable Player said his farewell this time to his son, whom he dearly calls ‘Bugoy’, two-year-old daughter Francesca Michelle, and their mom, James' fiancée Michela Cazzola, was far more emotion-filled.
“Of course sobrang ma-miss ko sila,” Yap told Manila Bulletin early Wednesday from Milano Marittima, Italy. “Three months na talagang bonding… spend time kami together sa bahay or sa labas.”
“Pero need ko na umuwi kasi balik na ang PBA. Alam naman – of course ni Mic – before pa kami pumunta dito na kapag balik na ang PBA, kailangan ko na bumalik ng Pilipinas – trabaho siempre.”
Yap said the hardest part of saying adieu was telling his kids that he needs to leave them for a while.
Yap did his best by setting the mindset of his kids, especially his son who is now four. But each time he tells them that he is going back to the Philippines, they would always ask him to stay.
“Siempre mahirap, sasabihin sayo ni Bugoy “no papa, stay here, don’t go” and siempre nadidinig sa kuya niya, ganun din sasabihin ng daughter ko… si Sisi; kaya mahirap talaga,” said Yap.
“Palagi ko sinasabi, ‘ papa needs to work, I need to go back to training and play’, sasagot naman sayo ‘ train here’ or ‘just play outside we have a park here’… so yes, iba na ngayon, nakaka-intindi na.”
Yap and his family left for Italy in early June despite strict travel protocols due to the coronavirus outbreak. The 38-year-old veteran forward said urgent family matters needed their presence there.
During his stay in the province of Ravenna, which is about three hours away from Rome, Yap had daily workouts to stay fit and in condition for the PBA resumption of practice session.
READ: Rain or Shine star James Yap out to regain form while in Italy
Most of his time was spent with family, however.
“Kain sa labas, pasyal sa park or sa mall. Dito kasi pwede na halos lahat gawin. Maluwag na ng konti. Kaya nakakapasyal kami, maski yung mga bata puwede na sa labas,” said Yap.
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A member of the 40 Greatest Players in the PBA, Yap said he would be following government protocols as soon as he arrives here, including staying in a hotel for a 14-day quarantine and submitting himself for swab testing at the airport.
Once cleared after the quarantine, Yap said he is looking forward to seeing his teammates and coaches, adding that he is excited to report to the ractice session of the Elasto Painters at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong City.
However, though his focus would be on getting back his game shape, Yap said his thoughts would always be on his family, particularly since there still is the threat of COVID-19.
“Hindi mawala na mag-alala… kaya sabi ko basta ingat pa din,” said Yap.
“Maski maluwag na dito, kailangan pa din mag-ingat. Practice pa din yung mga kailangang safety protocols like wearing of face mask and physical distancing kapag nasa labas ng bahay.”
Yap’s flight is four in the afternoon Wednesday from Italy, with a stopover in Doha, Qatar before his trip back to Manila.