It didn’t take long for James Yap to find a new home.
The 41-year-old Yap will continue playing as he is set to see action for Blackwater when the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup fires off on 28 February.
According to a reliable Daily Tribune source, the 6-foot-2 Yap had already made a verbal commitment to sign with the Bossing, enabling him to play in his 18th PBA season.
No further details have been mentioned, except that Yap will probably ink a one-year contract on Thursday.
“Maybe on Thursday,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity for lack of clearance from Yap and the Bossing.
“He will sign a one-year deal for the meantime.”
Yap rose as one of the deadliest gunners in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines while playing for University of the East.
He was taken by Purefoods with the second overall pick in the 2004 PBA Draft and led the franchise to seven titles, including a rare grand slam in 2014.
Two years later, he was traded to Rain or Shine for Paul Lee and spent four years serving as its chief gunner. Then, he took a two-year hiatus to seek a seek an elective post in the First District of San Juan City Council.
Yap returned to the Elasto Painters last year but was just used sparingly as they put more premium on young guns like Rey Nambatac, Anton Asistio, Santi Santillan and Andrei Caracut.
Yap eventually asked for release, sparking speculations that he is already on the verge of retirement considering his advanced age and responsibilities in the city council.
But the source said Yap can still provide some quality minutes.
“Around 10 to 15 minutes per game,” the source said, eager to see Yap leading the young core of Blackwater coached by Jeffrey Cariaso, who assisted Tim Cone when Yap led the Purefoods franchise to a grand slam 10 years ago.
