James Yap is keen on returning to Rain or Shine in the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcia bared on Saturday, July 19.
Yap and Marcial were together at the sidelines of the quarterfinals game between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City where the two-time league MVP ran for public office and won a seat in the city council in May.
“Kinamusta ko, sabi niya baka makapaglaro siya next conference. Magpapakundisyon na siya. Tinanong niya kung kailan magsisimula. Plano niya maglaro,” Marcial told reporters.
The Elasto Painters still holds the right to the seven-time PBA champion who took a leave after deciding to take his first foray in politics under the ticket of then-incumbent mayor and re-electionist Francis Zamora who was also in attendance along with former PBA players-turned-city councilors Paul Artadi and Don Allado.
Yap last played in the PBA during the 2021 Philippine Cup in Bacolor, Pampanga where he averaged 7.9 points including a 16-point performance in his last game for ROS in the quartefinals against Ginebra.
If his plans push through, Yap should be a welcome addition for the youth-laden Elasto Painters as he can provide the veteran leadership to the likes of Mike Nieto, Gian Mamuyac, Leonard Santillan, Anton Asistio and Andrei Caracut.