King James wants 5-year P21 million pact

MANILA, Philippines - James Yap, now a two-time PBA MVP winner whose contract is expiring in September, is looking at a five-year deal worth no less than P21 million as he gets ready to sit down for contract-extension talks with his ball club.

He’s also considering the possibility of becoming a player-assistant coach in the latter years of his new contract.

“I’ve talked to (team governor) Mr. Rene Pardo. We’ll soon sit down and discuss the contract,” Yap told The STAR.

The 6-foot-2 Negrense shooting guard expects things to go smoothly, believing Petron (formerly B-MEG Derby Ace) would agree to a five-year contract involving the maximum amount allowed in the league.

Under his existing pact, Yap is already getting the maximum monthly pay of P350,000 on top of performance bonuses and other perks.

“I’ll work hard for it. I’ll be focused on my job with my son Baby James as a big inspiration,” said Yap.

The cage star said his son has been a source of strength as he goes through marital woes.

Yap is now also thinking of coaching options as he intends to enter that field at the end of his playing career.

“Though I’m still playing, I might attend coaching clinics in the US during PBA season break,” said Yap.

San Miguel’s Olsen Racela is another PBA star looking to take same route.

“I want to play until I’m 40. That will already be this November. Then, I’ll shift to coaching. I think there’s a lot of opportunities out there,” said Racela.

The heady SMB point guard said he would be happy to call the shots for his alma mater Ateneo.

If Racela still plays in the coming 2010-2011 season, he becomes only the fifth player after Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben and Yoyoy Villamin getting to play in the league in their 40s.