Yap skips Noynoy’s inauguration to attend team’s practice

How focused James Yap is in leading B-Meg Derby Ace to a semifinals stint in the ongoing PBA Fiesta Conference? The former Most Valuable Player (MVP) opted to skip President Noynoy Aquino's historic inauguration on Wednesday at the Quirino Grandstand and attended his team's practice instead in preparation for their knockout playoff match with San Miguel Beer on Friday. Aquino, Yap's brother-in-law, was sworn in as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines. It was reported earlier that the cager was going to attend the ceremonies amidst personal matters involving his estranged wife, movie and television personality, Kris Aquino. But Yap decided to join the rest of the Llamados in their 9 a.m. to 12 n.n. practice at The Arena in San Juan in preparation for their do-or-die playoff match with the Beermen. B-Meg Derby Ace board governor and incoming PBA chairman Rene Pardo told GMANews.TV that Yap was present during the team's practice. "He practiced with the team," said Pardo in a telephone interview. "He's very much focused in our do-or-die game with San Miguel Beer and I know he will play a major role for us." Asked whether the personal matters involving the estranged couple will affect Yap's game or not, Pardo is upbeat his ward can simply get over with it. "It's not the first time such thing happened," said Pardo, referring to Yap's personal problem with his wife. "In five years of marriage, they've been in situations such as this one or even worse than this and yet, James was able to shrug it off and play well." "James knows the entire team is behind him. I also told him that if there's any problem and if there’s something I can do, I am just a phone call away. I also instructed everyone on the team not to entertain interviews regarding James' problem. We're not showbiz people and it won’t help James either," he added. Pardo said he also asked team manager Alvin Patrimonio, a four-time MVP, who played for Purefoods, on how he was able to handle personal matters every time he's inside the court. "Alvin even told me that if he has personal matters to deal with, he just vent his ire inside the court and pour out his emotions while playing. Maybe James was able to learn lessons from him, too," said Pardo. Physically and emotionally hurt, Yap shrugged off the pain and the distractions as he led his squad to a 106-100 victory over Barako Coffee and into the knockout playoff. He scored 18 points and even earned the PBA co-Player of the Week honors with Rain or Shine's Sol Mercado. B-Meg Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio couldn't help but admire his ward for playing at this level despite the circumstances. "James is playing hurt, emotionally and physically. He still has a lump in his leg and is occasionally limping at play," said Gregorio. "Then, of course, he’s hurt emotionally because of personal matters. But I've been constant on saying that James is truly admirable and is so good in shutting off the distractions every time he’s on the court." - JVP, GMANews.TV