James Yap retires jersey No. 18

JAMES Yap is retiring his iconic jersey No. 18, just a day before he officially signed a new one-year deal with his new team Blackwater on Friday, February 9.

The two-time league Most Valuable Player announced his “farewell 18” while subsequently announcing his switch to No. 15 as he became a member of the Bossing squad under coach Jeffrey Cariaso.

james yap retires jersey no. 18

James Yap retires jersey No. 18

“Farewell Eighteen … the jersey number I’ve always had since I started playing serious basketball … from Hua Siong College Iloilo, to UE, to PBL, and then PBA. I guess it’s safe to say that this number will always be a part of me, my career, my whole life,” Yap wrote in his official Facebook account on Thursday.

“Thank you God for the privilege, the blessings, the awards, and championships I got, while carrying this number. Grateful ako sa lahat ng hirap at lahat ng saya na dumating sa buhay ko, habang bitbit ko ang number na ‘to.”

Yap, who turns 42 this February 15, hopes basketball fans will continue to support him even as he begins a new PBA journey with Blackwater, his third team in his storied professional cage career.

“As I move into a new team, a number will be given to me. Thank you and goodbye number 18, that was a meaningful and unforgettable run,” shared the pride of Escalante, Negros Occidental. “Say hello to your new Bossing, James Yap, number 15.”

On Friday, Yap inked a fresh, one-year pact with Blackwater, a move that happened just less than two weeks after getting his release from Rain or Shine, the franchise he has been with for more than seven years or since he engaged in a one-on-one swap with Paul Lee in October 2016.

“I’m very happy, excited and honored to have a future Hall of Famer in James Yap at Blackwater,” said Bossing team owner Dioceldo Sy, who on Friday, welcomed the 6-foot-2 Yap, along with team manager Johnson Martinez in the official contract signing at Saikou in San Juan.

The Bossing is a team in transition under Cariaso, whose first conference as head coach was bumpy and ugly after finishing the Commissioner’s Cup with 10 straight losses. The team only had one victory on its ledger, courtesy of Cariaso’s debut win as Blackwater’s coach, via a 103-84 triumph over Converge on November 8.

Yap’s game and playing time has declined over the past few years since he last averaged in double figures of 11.4 points during the 2019 PBA season when Rain or Shine was still being handled by coach Caloy Garcia.

News Related

OTHER NEWS

Aliw Awards nominations out

ALIW Awards Foundation Inc. President Alice H. Reyes has released the names of finalists for the 2023 Aliw Awards to be presented on Dec. 11, 2023, at the Manila Hotel ... Read more »

WhatsApp Web gains the feature of single-view photos and videos

WhatsApp Web gains the feature of single-view photos and videos (Photo: Unsplash) The WhatsApp Web, the desktop version of the popular messaging app from Meta, has received an update allowing ... Read more »

Young athletes’ time to shine in Siklab Awards

Young athletes’ time to shine in Siklab Awards MANILA, Philippines — The future heroes of Philippine sports will be honored during the third Siklab Youth Sports Awards on Dec. 4 ... Read more »

Local exec says 5-10 barangays still isolated in Northern Samar

Graphics by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas A local government official said Monday that five to 10 barangays in Northern Samar are still isolated following the massive flooding in the area last ... Read more »

App made by ex-jeepney driver will let you pay PUV fare, book tricycles

DyipPay app lets you pay jeepney fare, book tricycles “Barya lang po sa umaga.” Everyone who rides jeepneys knows this rule: it may not be an actual law, but it’s ... Read more »

Updated In-Season Tournament Bracket ahead of pool play finale

Updated In-Season Tournament Bracket ahead of pool play finale Tuesday will mark the last day of pool play for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament. From there, six first-place teams and ... Read more »

PCG forms teams for maritime emergency response

PCG forms teams for maritime emergency response MANILA, Philippines — Recent incidents of fishermen lost in the waters off Southern Tagalog have prompted the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to form ... Read more »
Top List in the World