James Yap kept his promise to his family in Italy, and that is to be with them on Christmas Day.
Yap, the veteran forward of Rain or Shine, said that his kids, four-year-old son Michael James and two-year-old daughter Francesca Michelle, as well as partner Michela Cazzola, were so delighted to be reunited with him.
“Sobrang saya kasi nakabalik ako dito and naka-spend ng Christmas with them. Alam naman din nila na babalik ako, and dito ako mag Pasko. Kung hindi natuloy… lungkot siyempre,” said Yap, who arrived in Milano Marittima two days before Christmas Day.
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“Buti hindi ako naabutan ng travel ban, kasi nag-lockdown sila dito. Dito kapag travel ban per region, so hindi ka puwede tumawid or pumunta sa isang region… tapos Christmas Day lockdown kaya hindi puwede lumabas.”
The government of Italy has reportedly issued travel bans and lockdowns due to an increase in the number of cases of a new variant of COVID-19 in Europe and in other parts of the globe.
The 6-foot-2 Yap, a two-time Most Valuable Player in the PBA and one of the league’s 40 Greatest Players, told Manila Bulletin that he was able to pull off a few surprises on his children on Christmas eve.
Aside from the gifts he gave, he also dressed up in Santa Claus costume.
“Sobrang tuwa nung mga bata kasi talagang naka-costume ako ng Santa… hindi gaano ako humaharap sa kanila naka-tagilid lang ako pagpasok ko sa pinto kasi nga baka makilala nila na ako pala yung Santa,” said Yap.
“Kaya after ko mabigay yung mga gifts nila alis na agad ako. Pero sobrang saya talaga kasi yung makita mo sila na masaya iba din. Ilang months ko lang sila hindi nakita pero so Bugoy (Michael James) lumaki, si Francesca mas nagsasalita na… na-miss ko sila.”
Yap spent more than three months with his family in Italy when they left the country in early June – or at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic – after he got approval from Raymund Yu, who co-owns Rain or Shine with good buddy and business partner Terry Que.
He returned in late September as he joined the Elasto Painters practice sessions in time for the PBA Philippine Cup.
In the league’s restart, the 38-year-old Yap averaged 7.10 points and 2.10 rebounds in 11 games, helping the franchise reach the quarterfinal round as the eighth seeded team.
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ROS lost to top seed and eventual champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Yap said he is set to return home sometime in January as the team is scheduled to resume early to prepare for the next PBA season starting with the Philippine Cup, which is likely to begin in April.
“Ang sabi sa amin January kami, kaya balik agad ako ng Pilipinas… hindi kagaya before na talagang nagtagal ako dito kasi walang PNA, walang ensayo,” said Yap.
“Pero before ako umalis sinabi na sa akin (ROS management) na January kami maguumpisa ng training. Siempre babalik… trabaho natin yan so kailangan nanjan tayo bago mag-start.”