RAIN or Shine is still hoping that James Yap will return for this season, although the two-time MVP is about to begin a new public role.
As pleased as the Elasto Painters are with Yap’s election as councilor for the first district of San Juan, coach Chris Gavina indicated Thursday that the 40-year-old is still a possibility for the future season.
“We are all pleased that he was elected councilman. I believe our higher management will speak with him. “As he visited the PBA Season 47 Draft Combine, he stated the following.
Yap finished fourth in the polls with 21,427 votes, securing a council seat alongside his old Purefoods partner Paul Artadi.
Former footballer and incumbent mayor of San Juan Francis Zamora re-elect to a second term.
Gavina leaves it to management to deal with Yap, as the 6-foot-2 gunner is flying to Italy to meet his wife, Michaela Cazzola.
“I assume he’s heading to Italy next week to pick up his family, and we’ll know relatively soon if he’ll be able to play in the All-Filipino or Commissioner’s Cup,” he said.
Despite having missed the previous PBA Governors’ Cup to focus on his campaign, Yap must state unequivocally whether this political excursion signifies his retirement.
Gavina stated that if Yap decides to return to the court, he will undergo two months of intensive training with Rain or Shine.
When asked if Yap may rejoin the Elasto Painters, he replied, “If he can make himself ready.”
“It is difficult to return from a campaign without sufficient time to prepare. Now that we’ve been working together for about two months must make a concerted effort.”
He continued: “His health at age 40 is a major consideration. We cannot inform him that his return requires in two weeks. That is not plausible. Regarding James, we are, therefore, aware of everything. We want everything to be in the greatest possible position for his success.”
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