James Yap Refuses To Join Smart Gilas National Basketball Team

Source:GMAnews.tv

The reigning PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) cited personal reasons and the recent surgery performed on him to remove the polyp in his nose as to why he had to decline the invitation.

All three star players were part of the two separate national teams formed and trained by the PBA that saw action in the 2007 and 2009 FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championships, respectively.

“James Yap has personally begged off to play because we all know the personal matters he’s undergoing right now," said Pardo.

The Board chairman disclosed that Yap actually had to be brought back to the hospital more than a week ago following the surgery as he was experiencing mass bleeding.

Salud said filling up the void left by Yap will solely rest on the SBP and national coach Rajko Toroman, who is currently in China with the Smart Gilas squad for the 4th Asian Basketball Association Club Championship.