Rain or Shine practices might be more than just about hoops for the returning James Yap and his Elasto Painter mentor.
It is official. After teasing a comeback on Instagram, James Yap has inked a one-conference contract with Rain or Shine. He then posted on Instagram photos from the contract signing, complete with a Jordanesque “I shall return” caption.
Yap, according to the Elasto Painters’ official Facebook page, was apparently offered a full one-year deal but opted for the shorter one-conference commitment while vowing to “do his best to balance basketball and public service.”
Balancing basketball and public service is no doubt a daunting task, but Yap will learn the ropes from someone who has done it before: his coach at Rain or Shine, Yeng Guiao.
The 63-year-old tactician knows a thing or two about the balancing act Yap is about to embark on, having done so himself for several years. Guiao first got into public service in 2001, when he became a board member in his hometown of Pampanga while he was still the head coach of Red Bull Barako. He next served as vice governor for two terms, before twice winning a seat at the Lower House as the Representative of the First District of Pampanga. He lost his bid for a third term in the last elections when Yap won his own bid as councilman of San Juan.
In all, Guiao spent 20-something years juggling politics and basketball. With two wins and three reelections in his political career and four PBA titles over that span, it appears Guiao figured out just the right balance between basketball and public service. It is the very same thing Yap will attempt to do for one conference, and he might just take notes from Guiao about something other than basketball.
Curiously, though, Yap shunned a longer contract for a shorter deal, which seems to indicate that this balancing act might be over after one conference — and that Big Game James is ready to move on to life after hoops.