James Yap

James Carlos Agravante Yap Sr. (born February 15, 1982) is a Filipino professional basketball player and politician who last played for the Blackwater Bossing of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Known by his nickname Big Game James, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever play in the PBA. Yap spent his high school career initially with Bacolod Tay Tung High School before moving to Iloilo Central Commercial High School. In college, he spent his entire college career with the University of the East, playing for the Red Warriors. He won the MVP award in Season 66 (2003) and was part of two Mythical Five teams. During this time he also played in the Philippine Basketball League. In 2004, Yap was selected second overall by the Star Hotshots in the 2004 PBA draft. He spent twelve years with the Purefoods franchise before being sent to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in 2016 in a blockbuster trade. He played for Rain or Shine for eight years, though he took a break in 2022 as he began to get into politics. In 2024, he moved to the Blackwater Bossing, and has since yet to return. In politics, he is currently serving as the city councilor for San Juan, where he has assumed office since 2022.