James Yap draws inspiration from Baby James, fans

Star basketball player 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, TV host-actress Kris Aquino. In an emotional interview in “Showbiz Central" on Sunday, James, a two-time Most Valuable Player of the Philippine Basketball Association, 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 naka-focus ako… Sa bahay nag-iisip 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 three-year-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. A recent court order, however, granted James’ petition for visitation rights. James said he has yet to talk to his son about the status of his marriage with Kris. “Later on, maiintindihan na niya. May tamang oras kung kailan pwedeng sabihin (Baby James will understand later on. There is a right time when he should know of these things)," he explained. Other son In the same interview, James talked about his first son with another woman, saying he has not been remiss in his duties to the child. “Gusto ko lang linawin, may lumalabas kasi na bakit hindi ko isinasama yung isa. Ever since kasi nung bago pa lang kami ni Kris, sinabi ko na sa kanya. From the start talaga tahimik sila. Ayaw ko na silang idamay pa," James explained. (I just want to clarify rumors on why I never talk about my other son. Ever since Kris and I started going out, I told her all about it. The mother of my other son has been silent from the start. I don’t want to drag them into this issue.) “Nagte-thank you din ako sa nanay ng anak ko sa kabila kasi decent sila, hindi sila nakikisawsaw sa ganitong gulo. Sobrang happy siya ngayon dahil meron na siyang asawa at may anak na rin siya sa husband niya," he added. (I am also thanking the mother of my child because they’ve been decent and they never said anything about the mess I’m in right now. She is very happy right now because she now has a husband and a child with him.) James also said he is still waiting for the “right time" to talk with the mother of his child, whom he did not identify. According to him, he leaves to God whatever resolution they may arrive at in light of the most recent controversy with Kris. “Sa nangyayari, di ko naman maitatago, ipinagdadasal ko na lang kung anong mangyayari sa amin. Si Lord na lang ang nakakaalam (I can’s hide what is happening. I just pray and leave everything to the Lord)," James said. Back to school The basketball player, a native of Escalante town in Negros Occidental, is currently continuing with his studies at the University of the East (UE) to finish a degree in business management. James was originally a player for UE’s basketball team, the Red Warriors, where he first gained prominence for his outstanding basketball skills. He admitted to having difficulties balancing his time as a varsity player and a student. “As a basketball player tapos estudyante ka, kailangan mo talaga mag-sacrifice. Hindi naman maiiwasan sa ensayo, talagang sobrang nakakapagod. kailangan mo talagang pumasok rin dahil ‘yun ang pinakaimportante sa buhay natin, ang mag-aral," he said. (As a basketball student and a player at the same, you really have to make sacrifices. Practicing for the games was really tiring, but I still had to go to school because that’s the most important thing, to finish studies.) Despite his immense success, James said he remains humble and shy, and he wants whatever he has gone through in life to serve as an inspiration to everyone, especially the youth. “Hindi ko ma-imagine na dati naglalaro lang ako sa semento, nadadapa, nagpapaa, walang sapatos. Hindi ko ma-imagine kung nasaan ako ngayon. Gusto kong makita ng kabataan kung saan ako galing at kung saan ako ngayon," said James. (I could not imagine that when I was younger, I used to play barefoot in the streets. I could not imagine where I am right now. I want what I have achieved to serve as an inspiration to the youth.) - KBK, GMANews.TV