James Yap dedicates victory to No. 1 fan Cory Aquino

AKTV/Joser Dumbrique

On the third anniversary of the death of former president Corazon Aquino, her former son-in-law James Yap dished out one of his finest performances scoring 30 points to carry B-MEG to a 91-81 victory over Rain or Shine in the Governors’ Cup finals.

“This one’s for Mom Cory,” said Yap, who was married to Aquino’s daughter Kris. “She’s so special to me. She was my No. 1 fan.”

Mrs. Aquino was a basketball fanatic who tuned in to each of Yap’s games when she was still alive.

“Pinag-ro-rosary niya pa ako tuwing game. Naalala ko sa kanya, lagi niya akong sinasabihan. Lagi siyang kampi sa akin.”

The late former president was such a big fan when she was on her sickbed, she still made it a point to catch Yap’s games.

“Naalala ko noon, kahit nu’ng nasa hospital siya nanonood siya ng game ko. Kahit nakapikit na siya, gusto niya nakabukas yung television.”

Despite his stellar performance, Yap lost his cool for a moment, being called for a flagrant foul on Jireh Ibanes in the first quarter of the game. He could only imagine how Mrs. Aquino would have reacted about the incident.

“Tingin ko sasabihan ako noon sa ginawa ko, pero in the end, baka kampihan pa rin ako at sabihin na grabe naman kasi bumantay yun eh,” said Yap.

On Wednesday, the Aquino family, led by Kris and her brother President Benigno S. Aquino III commemorated Mrs. Aquino’s death anniversary with a mass at the Manila Memorial Park. Yap was unable to join them, but said he is planning to visit Mrs. Aquino’s grave.

“Ngayong taon lang ako hindi naka-visit sa puntod niya,” said Yap. “But I’m sure she will understand dahil we’re playing in the finals. Pag natapos yung finals papasyalan ko siya.”

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