Yap set to join Elasto Painters practice on Monday
Two-time PBA Most Valuable Player James Yap of Rain or Shine has been given clearance to join the team’s practice session starting Monday after testing negative for COVID-19 following the release of swab test result from the Makati Medical Center.
Yap had his swab test taken last Thursday, his second this month after he had similar procedure last September 4 upon his arrival from Italy.
Yap received his second swab test result last Saturday.
The 38-year-old Yap, who captured MVP awards in 2006 and 2010, said he is excited and ready to go for the team’s practice session at the Reyes Gymnasium in Mandaluyong City.
“Negative… ensayo na,” said Yap, who was in Italy for three months with his fiancée Michela Cazzola, their four-year-old son Michael James and two-year-old daughter Francesca Michelle, in a message to Manila Bulletin.
READ: Talk about in-flight safety from virus. James Yap wears brand new motorcycle helmet on way home from Italy. Take a look.
“Of course excited na, start na ako Monday and tuluy-tuloy na kasi malapit na mag-umpisa din uli ang PBA. Nasa condition naman pero iba yung makabalik ako sa game shape.”
ROS deputy team manager Jireh Ibanes said the management is excited too to have Yap back in training.
“James made sure he’s ready to join by the time he got here. It’s only the wind we need to work on and timing, which is a big part of basketball. So we’ll see. We’re all optimistic and excited,” said Ibanes.
The 6-foot-2 Yap is in the first group of Rain or Shine players for the 8-9 in the morning training every Monday-Wednesday-Friday with Jewel Ponferada, Norbert Torres and Sidney Onwubere under assistant coach Chris Gavina.
READ: Concerned about injuries, James Yap sees ‘gradual’ return to form
The league will have its restart on October 9 in a "bubble" in Clark, Pampanga.