DEIVID YAP: Surviving Bone Cancer Through Positivity And Love For Basketball

By: Zerjosh Serrano and Paul Tamayo

That’s exactly what Deivid Yap did. Deivid, who is now sixteen years of age, started joining the basketball camps organized by Passion Sports back in 2013. It was his father who encouraged him to join, and Deivid said that it was worth it because he was able to improve his skills under the mentorship of Coach Rob Labagala and the other Passion Sports coaches.

“Yung father ko po yung nag-encourage sa akin na sumali sa Passion Sports. Sobrang nakatulong sa akin yung basketball camps nila kasi nakita ko na nag-iimprove talaga yung skills ko. Palagi na po ako sumasali ng mga camps nila ever since.”

From 2013 to 2015, Deivid would always be the first ones to register in the camps. It was evident even in his early age that his desire to improve stems out of his overflowing love for basketball.

However, the unexpected happened for Deivid. It was in 2016 when Coach Rob noticed that Deivid was not moving as freely as he could during trainings. There was a slight limp in Deivid’s movements, prompting his father to have him checked by a doctor.

Upon further diagnosis, it was found that Deivid has bone cancer. Deivid apparently bumped knees with an opponent during a pick-up game, but he didn’t pay attention to it since he thought that it was just a minor injury.

Deivid went through six chemotherapy sessions to recover from the bone cancer. To make matters worse, the doctors decided to cut his left leg to avoid the cancer from spreading to the other parts of his body.

“July 11, 2016 po ako na-diagnose ng bone cancer. At first, hindi ko pa po alam na puputulin yung paa ko. Kaya nasa isip ko na baka magagamot pa yung sakit ko. Kaso hindi na daw talaga magagamot kaya pinutol na yung paa ko.

Sabi naman po ng doctor na makakalaro pa ako kapag nakabili ako ng prosthetics. Kaso hanggang ngayon hindi pa po kami nakakabili kasi sobrang mahal po.”

The pain that Deivid felt was even more emotional than physical. He has already been playing basketball since he was six years of age, and there’s no doubt that at the back of his mind, he dreams of being a PBA player in the future

But instead of dwelling on these frustrations, Deivid understands the value of staying positive despite his disability.

“I just try to enjoy everyday po. Kasi kapag inisip ko yung nangyari, mas makakasama lang po sa akin.”

On top of that, Deivid also receives the full support of his family and friends. He also expressed his gratitude to the whole Passion Sports family for going out their way to support him on and off the court. At one time, Coach Rob organized a Shooting-For-A-Cause event where the proceeds went to Deivid’s medical and recovery expenses.

“Nag-organize po si Coach Rob ng shooting-for-a-cause na event para sa akin. Madami po yung sumali doon sa event. Lahat ng mga kaibigan ko sa Passion Sports nag-join sila. Yung mga nalikom po namin binigay sa akin para sa pagpapagamot ko.”

Still, Deivid is not giving up on playing basketball. To be able to play basketball again, Deivid needs the help of prosthetics. He is still in high school right now, but Deivid already knows what he wants to do in the future.

“Gusto ko po maging trabaho yung gumagawa ng mga prosthetics. Para ako na yung mismong gagawa para sa sarili ko po, at makatulong ako sa mga tao na may mga disability din.”

It takes a lot of conscious effort, but Deivid doesn’t look at his disability as a hindrance in achieving his goals. He still maintains a positive attitude each day, and he is a joy to be with, especially if you’re a friend of his.

On top of that, Deivid also has an advice for other people who are going through various pains and disappointments in life. Deivid says that prayer is the key in times of trouble.

“Kung mangyari man po sa kanila yung nangyari sa akin, huwag lang po nila kalimutan na mag-dasal palagi. Huwag nila isipin yung sakit, at ituloy lang nila yung mga gusto nila gawin sa buhay. Ipagpatuloy lang nila yung pagkamit ng mga pangarap nila.”

 

 

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