Yap joins Team Pilipinas, RP 5 prepares for Japan

An exhausted James Yap finally joined the Powerade-Team Pilipinas in Tianjin, China after arriving Thursday afternoon from a seven-hour flight from Manila.

Following a brief rest and a quick snack, Yap proceeded to join the Nationals at the Sports gym during their evening practice, his first with the team in almost a week after the death of his mother-in-law, former President Corazon Aquino.

Yap attended Mrs. Aquino’s historic funeral Wednesday at the Manila Memorial Park back home, forcing him to miss the RP squad’s scheduled Tuesday flight for the 25th FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championship.

“Sobrang pagod," said the Purefoods star before the Nationals’ practice session.

Yap is married to television and movie personality Kris Aquino, the youngest daughter of the former President and the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino.

The 6-foot-2 shooting guard out of University of the East already missed the RP squad’s opening game against Sri Lanka early Thursday, which it won handily, 115-31.

But he’ll definitely suit up against Japan which the Philippines plays next.

“That’s the reason why we want James to be here at practice, para maga-mayan niya ‘yung opensa namin," said RP team coach Yeng Guiao.