By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense cager James Yap is considering retiring from professional basketball following the conclusion of Blackwater Bossing’s campaign in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup.

According to Bossing team owner Dioceldo Sy, the Negros Occidental’s Escalante City native Yap has already approached him months ago about his potential basketball retirement.

“Hanggang February ang kontrata niya sa akin,” Sy said in an interview with dwAR Abante Radyo’s SPORTSNOW.

“Ang mangyayari, tingin ko ha, baka by October, baka mag-opt out of the contract. So, hinihintay ko kung ano ang gusto niya,” he said.

“Conflict na ang schedule niya sa basketball. Sa ensayo lang, nahihirapan na siya sa oras niya,” Sy said.

“Okay lang. We will just announce a retirement for him, kasi focus na siya sa politics,” he added.

Yap failed to suit up for the Bossing in the entire Governors’ Cup after sustaining an injury prior to the start of the conference.

He also had a busy schedule as a councilor of San Juan City.

“Constituents na ang priority ni James. Madalas nga umalis siya sa practice kapag kailangan siya sa San Juan City Hall,” Sy said.

“Also he will likely seek re-election next year,” he added.

The 42-year-old Yap averaged 3.7 points and shot 5-of-14 from three-point range in his six-game appearance with the Bossing in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.

The former University of the East Red Warriors star has been with the PBA since 2004, when he was selected second overall by the Purefoods (now Magnolia Hotshots).

Yap stayed with the Purefoods franchise for 12 years, where he won seven PBA championships, two PBA MVP awards, four PBA Finals MVP awards and one Best Player of the Conference trophy.

The Negrense guard was then suddenly moved by Purefoods to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in 2016 in a blockbuster trade for Paul Lee.

He stayed with the Painters until last year before he opted to move to the Bossing./ASC, WDJ