James Yap nears top form, could return for Rain or Shine soon

It's just a matter of time before James Yap returns to the hardwood to join his team Rain or Shine in the soon-to-restart 2021 PBA Philippine Cup in Pampanga.

Elasto Painters head coach Chris Gavina revealed that the 39-year-old veteran guard has been cleared to attend full-contact training sessions and could suit up anew after missing the team's first six games.

Yap had undergone a minor surgery on his knee earlier this year and has been recovering from it since then.

But Gavina, knowing that Yap has been dealing with injuries in the past years, stressed they're taking his return one step at a time so as not to cause more injuries in the future.

"James has started to join our contact without any restrictions," Gavina told GMA News Online in a message.

"We are still making sure we can allow him to gradually get his rhythm and stamina in time for the resumption of games."

Prior to missing his team's first few games this year, Yap was able to suit up for Rain or Shine in the previous conference where they finished at eighth spot with a 6-5 card.

During that stretch, Yap only missed a single game in the elimination round and recorded averages of 7.10 points, 2.10 rebounds, and 0.90 assists in 16.95 minutes on the court.

The Elasto Painters are in fifth place with a 4-2 win-loss record before the PBA called off the games last August 3 due to the rise in COVID-19 and Delta variant cases in the country.

—JMB, GMA News