By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Blackwater Bossing guard James Yap is not yet closing his doors on a professional basketball return despite aiming for his second term as a councilor of San Juan City’s 1st District.

The Negros Occidental’s Escalante City native Yap said he is taking a break from professional basketball for now as he wants to focus on his re-election bid in the 2025 midterm polls.

“Sa totoo lang, nahirapan talaga ako na ipagsabay ‘yung basketball at politics. Nagsa-suffer talaga ‘yung basketball ko,” the two-time PBA MVP said.

“Ngayon focus ako sa politics. Kausapin ko ‘yung [Blackwater] management,” he said.

“Ayaw ko naman na magsho-show up ako sa basketball [na out of shape ako]. Mas gusto ko rin namang kondisyon ako. Eh hindi ako nakapag-practice ng mabuti,” he added.

Bossing team owner Dioceldo Sy previously said that Yap had already approached him months ago about his potential basketball retirement as it is already in conflict with his political career.

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

“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. 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 PBA Governors’ Cup, after sustaining an injury prior to the start of the conference.

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

“Constituents na ang priority ni James. Madalas nga na 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./ASC, WDJ