By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense shooter James Carlos Yap will once again suit up for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the upcoming 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, which will open on November 5.
The Negros Occidental’s Escalante City-native Yap has agreed to a one-conference contract with the Elasto Painters, as announced by the team on their social media pages on Tuesday night, September 26.
“Another run for the Man with a Million Moves!” the Painters said in their post.
“James Yap has signed a one-conference deal with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. He will play in the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup,” it added.
This is the two-time PBA MVP’s second conference after taking a leave for almost a year to pursue his political career as a councilor in San Juan City’s 1st District.
During the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup, the 41-year-old Yap averaged a career-low 5.2 points in 10 minutes in 10 appearances as the Painters fell short of reaching the playoff round.
Yap is the second Western Visayas-based player in the current Elasto Painters roster aside from newly-acquired forward Rey Mark Belo, who traced his roots from Capiz province’s Roxas City.
Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao said Yap will always have a spot in the team as the Negrense gunner remains efficient despite the limited playing time being given to him.
“Actually, [Yap played] above expectation, kasi the only reason he’s not getting more playing time is, siyempre, looking at the future of the team, you’d like to develop the team by prioritizing the playing time of the young guys, pero uubra pa siya,” Guiao said.
“Si James kasi, he will always have a slot since 15 naman ‘yang slot na ‘yan,” he said.
“‘Yung minutes na nilaro niya, hindi mo masabing nasayang. Siguro kung nabigyan ko siya ng additional playing time, naka-contribute pa siya,” he added.
The Painters had earlier signed rookie selections Luis Villegas and Keith Datu to rookie contracts while the coaching staff are still debating whether to give contracts to Sherwin Concepcion and Adrian Nocum./ASC, WDJ