Roger Yap: From the PBA to the ABL

Kung patapangan ang labanan,
di ka dehado kay Roger Yap

Joining the likes of serviceable PBA veterans such as John Ferriols and Eddie Laure (who both share the distinction of being one time Metropolitan Baskebtall Association Most Valuable Players), B-Meg Llamados point guard Roger Yap has opted to suit up for the San Miguel Beermen in the ASEAN Basketball League.


We’re not talking about an out of shape basketball player here (SMB’s Junjun Cabatu) or guys who couldn’t hack it in the pros because of height issues (SMB’s Froilan Baguion, Bangkok Cobras’ Jai Reyes and Marvin Cruz) or just players who are not good enough to be household names on the elite level (AirAsia’s Ardy Larong, Saigon Heat’s Ron Capati) to name a few. This is a guy who was putting up solid, clutch numbers and could take over games for the Llamados whenever his fellow Yap—James, would struggle/ shrivel in the limelight. 



And while we’ve gone on record several times to credit the Llamados’ Peter June Simon as being more clutch than James Yap, Roger was the guy who would and could create situations either scoring opportunities for himself or others.


Problem was, once Hall of Fame coach Tim Cone came into town, it was made clear that 35-year-old Roger wasn’t part of the bigger picture. PJ Simon masqueraded at PG before Cone finally settled on trigger-happy Fil-Am Josh Urbiztondo. And if that wasn’t enough, it was pretty clear that Cone was tasked to speed up rookie PG Mark Barroca’s development and turn him into the next Johnny Abarrientos.


Which leaves us with old Roger. Who lost his spot as starting point guard thanks to Cone, but still believes that he has enough left in the tank to contribute heavily to winning teams.


This writer doesn’t clearly understand the politics of how this scenario would work, if Roger was indeed released to free agency and if he could sign up with any other team outside of the PBA as he pleases without any repercussions or someone calling foul.


Still, this is a win-win situation for both parties. B-Meg can continue with its new philosophy and start fresh under Cone and lead star James. San Miguel on the other hand, gets the best point guard on paper with Roger who has championship experience over his peers (Leo Avenido, Baguion) and is arguably the biggest out there in terms of size at the 1 spot (Roger > Cruz, Reyes, Al Vergara to name a few).


Could this be the start of bigger things? Will some of the PBA’s “glass ceiling-suffering” stars push to be released by their teams and hook up with the ABL where they could and would (based on what we’ve seen so far) put up big numbers and dominate? Is this the break guys such as Julius Pasculado be looking for?


When it's all said and done, this writer looks forward to Roger going back to the PBA for an encore performance rather than riding off into the sunset playing games in Malaysia or Bangkok. 


As the Philippine Basketball scene's Vince McMahon (you know who he is, if not, back read) once quipped-- ang PBA pa din ang "Bayan ng Superstars."


And a star, Roger Yap is on all fronts.