Cone still not used to seeing former player Yap with another team

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

James Yap may be in tuned with his new team, but some people are still in shock the former Star player is now wearing another uniform.

Take Ginebra head coach Tim Cone for instance.

Cone was Yap’s coach when they won the Grand Slam back in 2014 and even though it’s been almost two years since they were on the same team, the fiery Ginebra tactician still can’t get used to his former prized player wearing new colors.

“It was really shocking ‘oh it was James!’” said Cone Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena as his Gin Kings trumped Yap’s Rain or Shine, 81-74.

Yap, too, is bemused that his former coach is surprised he’s not with the Star franchise anymore.

“Siyempre nakaka-miss din si coach Tim (Of course I miss coach Tim),” said Yap, who played with the Purefoods franchise for 12 years before getting traded to Rain or Shine.

“Iba pinagdaanan namin, nanalo kami ng Grand Slam sa kanya (we went through a lot together, and we won that Grand Slam under him).”

And if his games against Ginebra were labeled as “Clasicos” when he was still with his former team, Yap said there’s still that festive atmosphere even though he’s suiting up for a new team now.

“Ito yung pinapanood ng tao, nung nasa Star ako marami rin naman tayong memories na naiwan dun (This is what the people watch, and I left a lot of memories with Star),” said Yap. “Siguro yung ibang gusto naman akong makita dito sa Rain or Shine (I guess people also want to see me with Rain or Shine).”