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Sept 3, 2010
going back to college — all for his son
For his son, James Jr. This in gist is the reason basketball star James Yap is going back to college. “Para sa kanya ito (This is for him),” stressed James on television interview before going on vacation to San Francisco, California and other cities. “Kailangan ko talaga magtapos para may maipapakita ako kay Baby James,” the twotime Most Valuable Player of the Philippine Basketball Association said.
Like any other father, James told television host Pia Guanio that he wants to give Baby James the best that life could offer. “Gusto kong meron akong maipamana sa kanya. Siyempre, gusto [kong] magpurisge talaga sa ginagawa ko… lahat kasi ito para kay Baby James. Talagang ‘yung buhay ko, nakaano na kay Baby James,” he said.
Facing many trials now, the popular basketball player from Escalante, Negros Occidental says he feels he’s got to be strong for his son. Apparently resigned to his separation with wife Kris Aquino Yap, James said he was drawing his inspiration from his son James Jr. and so he is finishing his Business Management course at the University of the East. “Right now he is enrolled at the College of Business Administration and he is continuing his Business Management course,” said Veronica Elizalde, dean of the UE College of Business Administration. “I’m proud of him because despite his hectic schedule he still finds time to go back to school to do his assignment. Kahit irregular student. With this, we hope that he’d be able to finish his studies,” Elizalde said.
James was originally a player for UE’s basketball team, the Red Warriors, where he first gained prominence for his outstanding basketball skills.While with the team, UE was always on top of the league. Without mentioning the things that he’s going through in his life, Pia Guanio asked James how he wants to end all his personal woes. His ready answer: “Lahat ng pinagdadaanan ko ngayon, kumbaga, pinagdadasal ko na lang kasi alam naman natin na si Lord talaga ang nakakaalam nito.
Sana maging maayos na lahat. ‘Yun lang parati ang pinagdadasal ko. Wala na akong gagawin pang iba kundi magdasal nang magdasal. Iga-guide naman Niya ako kung ano ang tama.” James Yap said he looks to his fans and his son Baby James for inspiration to do better in his game amid problems between him and estranged wife Kris. In an emotional interview in “Showbiz Central” last Sunday, James said he is trying his best to remain professional and make sure his career is not affected by his personal problems. “Pagdating sa court talagang nakafocus ako… Sa bahay nagiisip ka, pero sa court kailangan tanggalin ang distraction (When I’m in
the court, I am really focused. I think about things when I’m at home, but when you’re in the court, you need to get rid of distractions),” James said.
He said his motivation is to prove that in spite of his problems, he remains “professional” and unaffected in his career. “Iniisip ko, lahat ng ginagawa ko (ay) para kay Baby James, (I just think that everything I’m doing is for Baby James).” Baby James is the cager’s threeyear old son with Kris, the youngest sister of President Benigno Aquino III. Kris is in the process of legally ending her five-year marriage with James, and subsequently barring the star athlete from visiting their son.