Yap skips RP 5's last 2 games to be with Aquino family

Don’t look for James Yap suiting up for the Powerade-Team Pilipinas in its final two outings in the 31st William Jones Cup tournament in Taipei. Yap, coach Yeng Guiao's starting forward and designated outside gunner, took an emergency flight out of the Taiwan capital Friday on his way to Manila to be with his wife, popular movie and television personality Kris Aquino. Aquino's mother, former president Corazon C. Aquino, is gravely ill. The Purefoods hotshot, who suffered a whiplash after getting hit in the forehead during the Kazakhstan game last Monday, has been in constant communication with his wife ever since Mrs. Aquino’s condition took a turn for the worse as the national team left Manila Saturday. Yap's absence will be an added blow to Team Pilipinas' Jones Cup campaign since the former University of the East King Warrior is a vital part in Guiao's rotation. The PBA-backed RP team is currently tied with Kazakhstan from eighth to ninth spots holding similar 1-5 slates. Team Pilipinas had a rough start in the tournament, opening up with a 90-59 loss to two-time defending champion Jordan then suffered another sorry 86-77 setback to host Taiwan. The Philippines vented its frustrations against Kazakhstan to romp off with an 85-67 win to end a two-game slide. The following day, Team Pilipinas squandered a 19-point lead and bowed to Japan, 87-85, then absorbed two more defeats after that against Lebanon (95-83) and Korea (83-80). Reports said that RP 5 team manager JB Baylon drove Yap from the Powerade-Team Pilipinas' hotel to the Chiang Kai Shek International Airport. The former President is currently confined at the Makati Medical Center after being diagnosed with colon cancer last year. PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial said a healing Mass for the former president will be offered by the RP team Sunday before its closing game with Iran. National team coach Yeng Guiao is Mrs. Aquino’s wedding godson. The Nationals rested Friday prior to their game against Taiwan-B on Saturday at the Hsinchuang gym. – GMANews.TV