End-of-marriage announcement ni Kris di alam ni James Yap!

 

By WAYLON GALVEZ

File photo of basketball superstar James Yap at the B-Meg dugout before his games at the Araneta Coliseum. Yap and his wife, TV host Kris Aquino’s marriage are reportedly on the rocks. (Photo by TONY PIONILLA)

B-Meg Derby Ace superstar guard James Yap was caught by surprise upon the announcement of his controversial wife, actress/TV host Kris Aquino that their marriage is over – again – on the latter’s television program last Sunday.

“Hindi ko alam na may ganun (I don’t have an idea about it),” the 28-year-old Yap said after the Llamados’ game that evening at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-3 Yap actually participated in the PBA’s “Read to Lead” program alongside league commissioner Sonny Barrios during the first half of the first game and was smiling and waving to his supporters when he entered the hardcourt.

A Bulletin source said it was prior to Derby Ace’s game versus Barako Energy Coffee that Yap was informed about the announcement, and it was obvious he was affected by it when he struggled in the first half.

Overall, Yap went 6-of-16 from the perimeter but still finished with 18 points, two rebounds and two assists as the Llamados won, 106-100.

About three weeks ago, the two were seen together with their three-year-old son Baby James during the proclamation of President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III at the House of Representatives. Yap recently went to the Aquino residence in Times Street in Quezon City to meet with his brother-in-law.

Prior to Sunday’s game, Yap said he would go to his brother-in-law’s oath-taking. However, after Kris announced the end of their marriage, a person privy to Yap’s plans said he doubts if “he will go there.”

Yap, the league’s 2005 Most Valuable Player (MVP), and the 39-year-old Aquino were married in July 2005 in civil wedding that was kept unknown to the public until the following year. The couple’s son was born on April 19, 2007.

Their marriage, however, was rocked by various controversies. A person close to Yap said there’s no third party.

Yap’s coach Ryan Gregorio said despite the latest controversy, he was impressed with the way his superstar player has handled the situation.

“I’m so impressed with the way he can shut off all the distractions, all the things happening around him,” Gregorio said. “He’s just focused in playing high-level basketball. That’s really one trait that separates him from others, and that’s why he’s so good on what he’s doing.”

“I told the team that we just could not be deaf, blind, and dumb about what is happening, especially with James. But all we can tell James is that we fully support him and love him,” Gregorio said.