James Yap is set to make a record 18th appearance in the PBA All-Star Game, and he was chosen to do so right in his home province.
"First of all, welcome to the City of Smiles. Naks!"
James Yap was quick to become an ambassador of Negros Occidental--particularly, the City of Bacolod--during the PBA All-Star Weekend festivities on Friday night.
This was an especially sentimental All-Star Game for Yap. He already had 17 of them, dating back to his rookie year.
But it's not every year he gets to celebrate in his home province.
His hometown of Escalante is just two hours away from Bacolod. He even had a short stint in Bacolod Tay Tung High School.
"Syempre blessed. Simula rookie year ko, 18 years nga. And pang-18 din jersey ko before, pang-18 years ko na. Ngayon All-Star pa rin, excited, excited. Dito pa kung saan ako lumaki," Yap recounted to the media.
Previously, Yap and Asi Taulava shared the joint record of 17 All-Star appearances, the most in the PBA.
Now, Big Game James finds himself in an exclusive ball club with 18.
He is also one of the handful of active PBA players left from the All-Star participants who last went to Bacolod back in 2008.
"Kumbaga, sa lahat ng fans, maraming salamat sa walang sawang suporta," he said. "Sobrang blessed kasi 'di ko ine-expect na aangat ako sa ganun kahit na matagal."
"Sa tulong ni God at ng fans, sila 'yung nagvo-vote dito."
What's important for the Blackwater Bossing star is to make sure he gives back.
That includes accommodating every request for photos and autographs.
"Walang PBA kung walang fans," he said.
@onesportsphl BIG GAME JAMES IS HERE! Blackwater Bossing's James Yap arrived in Bacolod at around 4:00 p.m. today, for his 18th PBA All-Star appearance this year. | via Mei-Lin Lozada/One Sports Digital #OSTimeout #PBAAllStar #PBASeason48 #PBAAngatAngLaban
? original sound - OneSportsPHL
Yap knows he won't be an All-Star forever.
"Itong weekend na 'to, i-enjoy ko 'tong moment na 'to. 'Di natin alam 'di ba, baka ito na 'yung..." he trailed off. "'Di ba, alam mo 'yun. [Baka] last or depende sa fans. Tignan natin, enjoy natin na nandito tayo ngayon sa province."
@onesportsphl "Memorable na All-Star? Syempre lahat!" While James Yap sees all of his All-Star appearances as special, he shares why this year is extra memorable for him as he plays his record-holding 18th game in Bacolod. | via Mei-Lin Lozada/One Sports Digital #OSOnTheSpot #PBAAngatAngLaban #PBAAllStar #PBASeason48
? original sound - OneSportsPHL
Yap will play for Team Mark during the PBA All-Star Game on Sunday, March 24. It will air on RPTV, PBA Rush, and the Pilipinas Live app.