THE coming PBA Season 48 could well be James Yap’s farewell tour in the pros, and it gives him a shot at nearing if not breaking into the all-time Top 10 scoring ladder.
However, the two-time MVP winner has to be super prolific if he’s to be a legitimate threat to the No. 10 position of 1998 MVP Allan Caidic.
Through 18 seasons, Yap has collected a total of 10,978 points behind Caidic’s 11,719. Ahead of Caidic from No. 1 to No. 9 are Ramon Fernandez (18,906), Abet Guidaben (15,775), Alvin Patrimonio (15,091), Atoy Co, Nelson Asaytono, Philip Cezar, Jojo Lastimosa, Bogs Adornado and Robert Jaworski.
Now also serving duty as councilor in the City of San Juan, the Negrense cager was limited to cameo role last campaign, averaging just 5.2 points in 10 games.
The question is whether he’ll be more active on the court or get more diminished minutes and numbers with the entry of a bevy of rookies at Rain or Shine.
Nonetheless, Yap’s place at No. 11 looks safe for years to come.
Arwind Santos (10,132) jumped past Mark Caguioa (10,075) last season and now trails Francis Arnaiz (10,292) at No. 14 in the all-time scoring list.
But Santos has drifted with the Pampanga team in the MPBL, and it’s uncertain whether he can still find an offer from the Big League at father time.
Jayson Castro and LA Tenorio are two other senior statesmen with a chance to push up in the scoring ranking.
Castro gained four notches up to No. 21 last season while Tenorio also moved four rungs up to No. 26 despite missing a big stretch of the season due to a health woe.
But Tenorio (with 8,674 points) has defeated the Big C and is to return to the playing court by December. Thus, he’ll have a shot at breaching the Top 25 with an immediate target of rolling past Willie Miller, Dennis Espino, Jeffrey Cariaso and Jun Limpot.
Castro is at No. 21 with 9,293 points, now with a chance to get past Arnie Tuadles.
Among the major players at the prime of their career, June Mar Fajardo is at No. 44 with 7,469. Barring injuries, the Cebuano behemoth is likely to roll to the top 20 in the next three to four years.
