Happy Birthday, Kenneth Yap ( July 11 )

Happy Birthday, Kenneth Yap 

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

1982 PBA Rookie direct hire 
1982 PBA Invitationals champion
Dela Salle University Green Archers forward
Solid Mills Denims mainstay

Kenneth, 26, stands 6-3. He first saw action for Grace Christian High School and then transferred to St. Stephen's. He then spent two years with the La Salle  juniors before completing four years with the Green Archers. In 1980, he was the NCAA's topscorer with an impressive average of 29 points per game. After his stint in the NCAA, he played for Solidmills in the MICAA under coach Nat Canson. "I felt that after two years in the MICAA it was the right time to turn pro. And besides, I got suspended by the BAP for two months. Twice, I was invited to join the tryouts for the national team but I felt that there was palakasan so I snobbed the invitation. That was for the RP Youth and the ABC teams. Nagalit si Mayoralgo. I was banned for two months for not showing up," Kenneth confesses. Kenneth claims that his talents in basketball really surfaced when he was with La Salle. His first coach was Tito Eduque. Later on, Wacky Trillo took over. "During my amateur days, hindi ako masyadong serious sa practices. I didn't give 100% effort during practice sessions. In the actual games na lang. Doon ako kumukuha ng resistensiya. Ganoon ang ginawa ko pagpasok ko sa San Miguel. I was wrong. Iba pala dito. Manotoc did not like my style. That's why I got benched." Despite everything, he describes Manotoc as, "He's very good. Strategist talaga siya. Maganda ang mga plays na ibinibigay niya sa amin. If you have to score two points, you can make it. And he talks to the players talaga." On Canson, Kenneth says, "Wala akong problema sa kanya. He's a good coach too. He was my coach during my Solidmills days." At last, Kenneth was fielded in for the first time this season and that was during the San Miguel-Gilbey's match last September 6. But he admits, "Wala na. If you've been benched for one year and eight months, you'll lose your moves and confidence. Parang rookie na lang ako ulit. This is definitely my last year in the PBA. Ayaw ko na," says a bitter Kenneth Yap. Kenneth could have retired after the first year. Before the opening of the 1983 PBA season, Canson had thirteen men in his team. PBA rules call for only twelve. Canson had to choose between Kenneth and Raymundo Obias. "Basketball was Ray's livelihood. And he just got married. I was benched during my first year. Obias played well. I volunteered na si Obias na lang ang i-retain. I thought na mas makakatulong siya kay coach. Nat Canson had his job at stake. I'm not saying na magaling si Obias sa akin. Different positions kasi. I'm a forward. He's a guard." Kenneth says that after this year, he'll concentrate on the family business. Kenneth is the eighth of nine boys sired by Henry Yap to the former Yu Ching Hun. Kenneth is a LiaCom graduate of La Salle.