PBA LEGEND James Yap plans to take a break from basketball to focus on his bid for re-election as councilor of San Juan City’s first district in the 2025 National and Local Elections.
Yap will not be on the PBA court this year given that he wishes to take a break for the midterm elections, as he said during his visit to the UE Red Warriors’ game versus the DLSU Green Archers on Saturday.
The inspiration
The Blackwater Bossing guard is currently running for another council seat with Mayor Francis Zamora’s party.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
During the 2022 elections, the 42-year-old former Red Warrior received 21,427 votes, earning a seat on the San Juan City Council. This year, he said that Mayor Zamora inspired him to run again.
“Actually, si Mayor Francis is our mayor in San Juan. So, very close to me. And siya ‘yung nagsabi sa akin na kung pwede tatakbo ako sa partido niya, sa side niya, sa team niya,” he said.
“Kaya noong last election, in-invite niya ako kung pwede akong tumakbo sa team niya. Hindi naman ako nagdalawang-isip dahil gusto ko rin makatulong,” Yap added.
Not closing doors
Yap stated in an interview during the filing of his certificate of candidacy that this was a temporary move and that he would not rule out returning to Asia’s oldest league.
He did, however, admitted that it was difficult for him to juggle both of these two large universes at the same time, so he decided to let go of one in the moment.
“Sa totoo lang, nahirapan talaga ako na ipagsabay yung basketball at politics. Nagsa-suffer talaga yung basketball ko. Ngayon focus ako sa politics, kausapin ko yung [Blackwater] management,” said Yap.
“Ayaw ko naman na magsho-show up ako sa basketball, mas gusto mo rin namang kondisyon ka.”
“Eh hindi ako nakapag-practice ng mabuti so kausapin ko muna yung management na talagang 110% na focus muna ako dito sa pagtakbo ko as councilor sa 2nd term,” he added.
A former Red Warrior’s support
Setting aside politics, Yap is a dedicated UE Red Warriors alumnus. Given the squad’s recent streaky performance, he believes the men’s basketball team will be one to watch this year.
“May laban itong team na ito. Kita mo naman pumapalag talaga, sayang lang itong game, pero laban ito. And kita mo naman sa support ng UE crowd,” he said, while pointing to the Red Warriors’ crowd.
Despite losing their second-round encounter against the defending champions DLSU Green Archers, 77-68, the former player believes the squad will be able to advance to the UAAP Season 87 Final Four.
