BACOLOD - There couldn't have been a better place for veteran James Yap to make PBA All Star history in.
On Sunday, Yap will play his 18th All Star Game in the 2024 edition of the mid-season extravaganza presented by Arena Plus, securing his spot in the record books right in his birth province and the city where he started his basketball journey in.
The pride of Escalante, Negros Occidental who first made waves playing for Bacolod Tay Tung High School will surge ahead of the now retired Asi Taulava (17) for most All Star appearance ever when his Team Mark crew faces off with Team Japeth at the University of St. La Salle.
"First of all, welcome to the City of Smiles, naks, dito sa Bacolod. Siyempre blessed, talagang simula rookie year ko hanggang ngayon, 18 years nga kumbaga sa lahat ng fans maraming salamat sa walang sawa nilang suporta," said Yap.
It's one great homecoming for the 42-year-old gunner, whose family will even take a two-hour road trip from Escalante to share this moment with him.
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"Lahat memorable and siyempre ito kasi pang 18 years tapos dito pa ginawa kung saan ako lumaki, kung saan ang probinsya ko. Actually, two hours from here yung Escalante. Isa ito sa mga special kasi record holder tayo sa All Star appearances and dito pa yung pang 18th kung saan tayo lumaki," he said.
"Siguro yung family ko na lang ang pupunta dito kasi walang time. After ng All Star, uwi na agad (to Manila), may practice pa kasi ongoing yung conference (Philippine Cup). But itong weekend na ito, enjoy ko ito. Enjoy ko itong moment na ito dahil di natin alam, di ba? Baka ito na yung last o depende sa mga fans kung gusto pa nila ako makita sa All Star next year, di ba? Kaya enjoy natin itong moment na ito na andito tayo sa province ko," he said. (OL)
