Fans will certainly miss seeing Big Game James in a Rain or Shine jersey.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters recently announced its decision to retire James Yap’s iconic No.18 jersey as the two-time PBA Most Valuable Player put an end to his notable seven-year stint with the team.
While he may have turned the pages on this chapter of his basketball career, allow us to bring you back to Big Game James' incredible moments donning the Elasto Painters jersey.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Rain or Shine to retire James Yap’s jersey no. 18]
(1.) Yap made a huge splash when he marked his Elasto Painter debut with a milestone 1000th triple against the Mahindra Enforcers in 2016.
(2.) Lean on Big Game James to deliver for his team as he exploded for 27 points to power Rain or Shine past Globalport in their do-or-die quarterfinals battle in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
(3.) Who else misses seeing Yap and former PBA star Chris Tiu together on the court – and being co-honored as Best Players of the Game at that?
(4.) He could well be one proof of the adage, “Age doesn’t matter."
At 35, Yap displayed fine form as he shoved the Elasto Painters back on the winning track against the streaking Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the PBA Philippine Cup 2018 eliminations.
(5.) It's expected for the pride of Escalante, Negros Occidental to lead Rain or Shine in crunch time as he delivered the goods in the 75-74 escape against Magnolia in the 2019 Philippine Cup.
(6.) No rust for James' big game as he drilled in his first basket to welcome his return to the league.
Yap took a leave of absence from the PBA in 2021 as he shifted his focus on his political foray as a San Juan City councilor. But he came back more than a year later as if he had never left.
[RELATED: Rousing comeback for ‘Big Game’ James Yap]
(7.) At the end of the first half in Rain or Shine's tussle with Meralco in the Governors’ Cup, the former University of the East standout showed what spectators missed in his hiatus, as he tied the score with a buzzer-beating three-point shot to bring the excitement up a notch before the Bolts ran away with the victory.
(8.) We continue to bear witness to Yap's million moves in this highlight reel.
(9.) Rain or shine, the two-time MVP is ready to bring his A game.
(10.) Yap ensured that his time with the Elasto Painters ended on a high note by hitting flawless triples in their skirmish against the Converge FiberXers.
Big Game James may have bid his farewell to Rain or Shine, but the legacy he has built with the team – and the league – remains.