Nearing retirement, Yap hopes to win PBA title with Rain or Shine

FILE – Rain or Shine swingman James Yap during the 2019 Philippine Cup semifinals against Magnolia. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — James Yap already has multiple PBA titles and MVP awards under his belt.

But as he approaches the end of his career, the star swingman hopes to achieve one more feat before he hangs up his sneakers.

“This is already my third with Rain or Shine so I hope I get to be a champion here at Rain or Shine. Even just one championship,” said Yap in Filipino on the 2OT podcast with Carlo Pamintuan and Magoo Marjon.

The 38-year-old Yap won seven titles with the Purefoods franchise, which include a Grand Slam in 2014.

But ever since he got traded to the Elasto Painters, Yap has never been to the championship round again.

Last year’s Philippine Cup was the closest Yap came to ending that finals drought but Rain or Shine couldn’t close out his former team Magnolia in Game 7 of the semifinals despite leading by 17 at one point in the game.

Yap said winning a title with Rain or Shine is also something he will dedicate to the team’s late matriarch Margaret Yu, the mother of co-team owner Raymund and one of his longtime avid supporters.