Career shift can wait for RP’s top gun

HO CHI MINH (Via Globe Telecom) — While most of the members of the RP basketball team are set to join the PBA rookie draft upon their return from the 22nd SEA Games, University of the East hotshot James Yap, a potential No. 1 pick, is still torn between serving his school for one more year and finally giving in to the lures of the pro league.

"Hindi pa rin ako makapag-decide. Ang hirap mag desisyon, kung pwede lang sanang laruan pareho," Yap told The STAR during break in practice yesterday.

"Pagiisipan namin ng manager (Dondon Monteverde) ko pagbalik sa Pilipinas. In the meantime, focus muna ako dito sa SEA Games," added the 6-foot-3 shooting guard who is expected to play key role in the Nationals’ quest for a seventh straight gold medal here.

National players who are interested to join the coming draft are Marc Pingris, Ranidel de Ocampo, Irvin Sotto, Wesley Gonzales, Rich Alvarez and Gary David. Richard Melencio, Ric Calimag and Celino Cruz are unrestricted free agents.

Dennis Madrid, meanwhile, has signed a long-term deal with Cebuana Lhuillier which reportedly intends to back the national team even after the SEA Games.

"Long-term ang programa ng Lhuillier sa basketball. Gusto nila yung dating programa ng Northern Cement," said national coach Aric del Rosario, referring to the basketball program of former Ambassador Danding Cojuangco in the 1980s that produced the ABC championship in 1986.

Among the several players that played for the Northern Cement were Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, Hector Calma, Jerry Codiñera, Franz Pumaren, Elmer Reyes, Al Solis, Pido Jarencio, Yves Dignadice and Alvin Teng.

Yap is playing for Welcoat Paints in the PBL.

But it seems Yap’s biggest concern is UE in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Yap and Paul Artadi have led the Warriors to the Bantay Bata UAAP-NCAA Challenge and the Champions Cup championships but not the UAAP diadem.