PBA vs NBA 2011 Exhibition Game Results: NBA wins over PBA, 131-105

The super exciting matchup of PBA superstars vs NBA superstars happened earlier tonight, July 23, 2011, in Araneta Coliseum and was aired live at AKTV on IBC13.

As part of the 2-game series dubbed as the Ultimate All-Star Weekend, the NBA team (as Smart All-Stars), composed of Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Derek Fisher, Tyreke Evans, James Harden and Derrick Williams, faced our very own PBA All-Stars in the hard court, with the NBA team winning bigtime over PBA, 131-105.

The PBA All-Stars was comprised of James Yap, Mark Caguioa, Jayson Castro, Sonny Thoss, LA Tenorio, Larry Fonacier, Solomon Mercado, Alex Cabagnot, Marc Pingris, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Gary David, Gabe Norwood, Ryan Reyes, Danny Seigle, JC Intal and Arwind Santos, who even made it to Twitter's Top 10 Trending Topics worldwide.

Here's the scores after each quarter:

1st Quarter: NBA 30, PBA 26
2nd Quarter: NBA 66, PBA 50
3rd Quarter: NBA 107, PBA 78
4th Quarter: NBA 131, PBA 105

NBA's JaVale McGee was the Best Player of the game with a total of 25 points. Here's how the NBA players scored during the game:

JaVale McGee 25 points
Kevin Durant 22 pts
Derrick Williams 19 pts
Tyreke Evans 17 pts
James Harden 16 pts
Kobe Bryant 12 pts
Chris Paul 11 pts
Derrick Rose 9 pts
Derek Fisher 0 pt

The Filipino ballers did their best, but not enough to beat the NBA All-Stars. Arwind Santos also scored 25 big points, just like McGee, but no other PBA players scored as big as his.

Arwind Santos 25 points
Alex Cabagnot 9 pts
Marc Pingris 9 pts
Rabeh Al-Hussaini 8 pts
Solomon Mercado 8 pts
Gary David 8 pts
Gabe Norwood 7 pts
Ryan Reyes 6 pts
Sonny Thos 4 pts
Jason Castro 4 pts
Mark Caguioa 4 pts
Danny Seigle 4 pts
JC Intal 4 pts
Larry Fonacier 3 pts
LA Tenorio 2 pts
James Yap 0 pt

Watch a video of the NBA-PBA game (2nd half highlights, video courtesy of LakersPortal):


The NBA team will have one more game tomorrow, July 24, 1 PM, but this time they will be facing the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team.

James Yap, Azkals honored at PSA Awards 2011

James Yap and the Azkals were among the awardees at the 2011 Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA)-Coca Cola Awards held at the Manila Hotel last weekend.

James Yap was bestowed with the PSA Pro Basketball Player Award while the Azkals (photo) receieved the PSA Presidential Award.

Azkals' team manager Dan Stephen Palami also received an award, as Executive of the Year.

The Philippine football team, who has also brought honors for the country in 2010, was not the one named as Athletes of the Year, the highest award being given by the PSA and was won by boxing icon Manny Pacquiao 5 times already.

This year's Athlete of the Year award is shared by four athlethes who have also won in international competitions. Those four recipients are all deserving though.

Pacquiao, who's now a PSA Hall of Famer, also graced the event as guest speaker and took part in handing out the awards.

Here's the list of winners in the PSA Awards 2011:

2011 Athletes of the Year: Dennis Orcollo (WPA World 8-Ball 2010 Champion, Asian Games 2010 Gold Medallist), Engelberto "Biboy" Rivera (Asian Games 2010 Gold Medallist for Bowling), Rey Saludar (Asian Games 2010 Gold Medallist for Boxing) and Francisco 'Django' Bustamante (WPA World 9-ball 2010 Champion)

PSA Presidential Achievement Award — Azkals (semi-finalist at the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010)

Executive of the Year — Dan Palami (as team manager of the Azkals)

Pro Basketball Player Award - James Yap of Derby Ace Llamados (2010 PBA Most Valuable Player)

Amateur Basketball Player Award - RR Garcia of FEU (UAAP 73 Most Valuable Player)

Boxers of the Year - Ana Julaton, Annie Albania, Donnie "Ahas" Nietes and Nonito Donaire Jr.,

Rider of the Year - Maico Buncio

Jockey of the Year - Jesse B. Guce

Horse of the Year - Yes Pogi

Other Major Awardees:
Angelo Que (golf)
Miguel Tabuena (golf)
National Men’s Chess Team (GM Wesley So, GM Rogelio Antonio, GM John Paul Gomez, GM Darwin Laylo, and GM Eugene Torre)
National Men’s Poomsae Team (Anthony Matias, Brian Alan Sabido and Jean-Pierre Sabido)
National Women’s Basketball Team

Warren Kiamco (billiards)

National Sports Association of the Year — Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP)

Hall of Fame — Efren "Bata" Reyes (billiards), Florencio Campomanes (chess)

Lifetime Achievement Award — Carlos "Sonny" Padilla, Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan

Tony Siddayao Award — Kiefer Ravena, Malvinne Ann Alcala, Andie Unson, John Keithley Chan, Jerrick Mitra

Citations:
Araw ng Kagitingan Ultra Marathon
Artemio Murakami
Ateneo Blue Eagles
Ateneo Blue Eaglets
Cyna Rodriguez
ICTSI
Jerick Ternida
Kenneth San Andres
Marlon Stockinger
Mia Piccio
Milo Marathon
National Davis Cup Team
Philippine Patriots
Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA)
Ronald Salvador
San Beda Red Lions
Smart Sports
Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP)


Photo courtesy of Verna Mariano, co-founder of National Collegiate Billiards League (NCBL)

James Yap and Kris Aquino receive birthday gifts from each other: bracelet for Kris and 'Bruno Mars' concert tickets for James

James Yap turns 29 today, a day after ex-partner Kris Aquino celebrated her 40th birthday.

But James and Kris already found a time to celebrate their birthday together when they had a dinner last Sunday along with Josh and Bimby aka Baby James.

Kris shared about it on Twitter yesterday and according to her tweets, Bimby gave James a red BlackBerry Torch as birthday gift for his Papa.

The father and son also prepared a gift for Kris and it's a bracelet with a card attached to it. Kris described the bracelet as lovely and the message on the card as sincere and heartwarming.

And how about Kris' gift for James?

"I gave him 2 Bruno Mars VIP tickets for him & his date for April 8," Kris said on Twitter.

Wow! How nice of Kris!

Everything is indeed going fine between Kris Aquino and James Yap, whose marriage is still in the legal process of annulment.

That's why, Kris' birthday wish is "legal freedom" for her and James.

"I wish James & I the legal freedom to be able to love again & share with new lifelong partners the love we failed to sustain between us," Kris posted on Twitter.

And just this afternoon, she tweeted the same wish again, "I wish freedom for James & me to love again & be loved in the way we failed to love each other."

James also posted his own birthday message for Kris on Twitter yesterday, just a short and simple message.

But I've noticed on James' message that he didn't even mention the name of Kris, whom he fondly called before as "Babe". He just addressed his message to "Mama of Baby James" and not "Kris".

He said, "To the Mama of Baby James, Happy Happy Birthday! May all your dreams come true! God bless you :-)"

James Yap is now on Twitter, but not a follower of Kris Aquino

James Yap is now on Twitter...if in case you don't know it yet. And he's enjoying it!

The PBA superstar who plays for B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados has just joined the Twitter world using the username @jcy18 which stands for his full name, James Carlos Yap, and his jersey shirt number 18.

James actually started his Twitter in September and his first tweet was: "Just woke up!"

And if you read all his tweets, his favorite lines are "bonding with Baby James", "practice today", "good morning everyone" and "thank you guys".

There's nothing much juicy on his tweets but good enough for the fans to know about how James is, what he's doing and where he's going to.

He definitely enjoys posting tweets 'coz he once said, "hello yapsters masaya pala dito."

James so far has more than 3k followers, unlike ex-wife Kris Aquino who is the Philippines' 2nd Most Followed Celeb on Twitter.

Kris may have almost half a million followers, but unfortunately James isn't interested to follow her.

James is following only 9 people and Kris isn't one of them. He's following teammate Rico Maierhofer, former teammate Paul Artadi, sportscasters Dennis Principe and Patricia Hizon, his fans club Yapsters, his fave NBA star LeBron James and some other girls.

And those girls unfortunately also do not include Isabel Oli (@oliviadaytia), who's being romantically linked to James Yap.

Pormang PBA Fashion Show: Basketball Players and Beauty Queens together on the ramp

Fifteen PBA players walked the ramp at the Ali Mall in Cubao last night with the Binibining Pilipinas beauties including Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner Up Maria Venus Raj.

The event was called "Pormang PBA" and featured PBA's star players as they paraded in casual, sports and formal attires.

It was PBA's way to usher its 36th season which officially opens on October 3.

The hottie players led by last season's MVP James Yap were joined on the ramp by Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner Up Venus Raj, Binibining Pilipinas-World 2010 Czarina Gatbonton, Binibining Pilipinas-International 2010 Krista Kleiner and some other beauties.

Watch video of Pormang PBA Fashion Show (courtesy of mabuhaybeauties1)

James Yap dedicates 2010 MVP Award not to Kris Aquino

Of course naman! There's no more reason for B-Meg Derby Ace's James Yap to dedicate his PBA 2009-2010 conference Most Valuable Player
(MVP) Award to Kris Aquino especially after what happened during the awarding last Wednesday at the Big Dome.

It was indeed James' most memorable moment when he won his 2nd MVP
Award that evening and on the same night, he reportedly almost received the nullification papers of his marriage with Kris also there at the Big Dome when some court officials tried to serve the papers
right after the awarding ceremony. That's harsh!

James was also among the Mythical First Team honored that night along
with L.A. Tenorio (Alaska), Jay Washington (San Miguel), Arwind Santos (San Miguel) and Sonny Thoss (Alaska). The Mythical Second Team
meanwhile were Roger Yap (Derby Ace), Mac Cardona (TNT), Kelly Williams (TNT), Asi Taulava (Coca-Cola) and Joe Devance (Alaska).

Recognized as All-Defense Team were Arwind Santos, Marc Pingris (Derby Ace), Gabe Norwood (Rain Or Shine), Roger Yap and Ryan Reyes (TNT).
Derby Ace's Rico Maierhofer was Rookie of the Year while Cyrus Baguio
of Alaska won the Sportsmanship Award.

During his acceptance speech, James dedicated his MVP Award to the most special person in his life and obviously it's no longer Kris. "Gusto kong i-dedicate itong award na ito sa pinaka-special na tao sa
buhay..." he paused and the crowd were shouting Kris' name, but he
continued with: "walang iba kundi ang anak ko, si Baby James. Para sa
'yo 'to. I love you, miss na miss na kita."

And the crowd cheered loud for him.

The next day, Kris congratulated James on her show "Pilipinas Win Na
Win". She told the viewers she's sincerely happy for James' MVP Award and said, "Ang tagumpay mo ay tagumpay na rin ng anak ko."

In a later interview with ABS-CBN News, Kris said she didn't know that the marriage nullification papers will be served to James at the Big
Dome.

Here's an old photo of Kris and James during their "honeymoon period"
(courtesy of PhilStar). How sweet no? But only to turn up bitter in the end.

Kris Aquino comes back on Twitter

After 50 days of being inactive on Twitter, Kris Aquino has decided to tweet again. Why, why, why?

Kris has just posted a tweet about half an hour that she's definitely back on Twitter and the reason why.

It says: "I'm back. Y? Because we live in a democracy & I'm allowed to use my voice. I promise to be prudent & not be motivated by anger or hate. Will try to be kind & mature. I'm SO BACK. Love Love Love!!!"

So welcome back!

Remember last June 18, Kris officially left Twitter in the midst of the controversy that she and husband James Yap have broken up.

It was actually on Twitter that people began speculating about their breakup because Kris wasn't mentioning James in her tweets for the longest time.

On her farewell tweet that time, Kris said being quiet is the only thing she could do as sister to President Noynoy Aquino. "So in the interest of keeping what is left of our privacy - I will suspend being active on Twitter. It doesn't make sense for me to leave SNN & Buzz & keep this avenue open for people to speculate & judge," she said last June 18.

And this August 8, Kris reconnects with her over 200k followers. Yes, after almost 2 months of not tweeting, Kris' followers on Twitter are still there.

In fact, it even went up while she's gone. From 220k when she left in June, it's now 281k, and still has the 2nd highest # of followers among the Filipino celebs on Twitter.

Still on top is Anne Curtis with 387k then Kris with a far 281k, followed by Bianca Gonzalez (228k), Mariel Rodriguez (225k), KC Concepcion (206k) and Angel Locsin (204k).

The Buzz August 01, 2010 episode: Kris Aquino speaks up on failed relationship with James Yap

August 1, 2010 marks the 1st death anniversary of former President Cory Aquino. And co-inciding with it is Kris Aquino's tell-all with Boy Abunda on The Buzz.

Kris was actually interviewed last Friday, and first part was already shown on SNN the same day where she clarified issues about the men being linked to her, like Makati Mayor Jun Jun Binay. (Read: Kris Aquino & Junjun Binay, James Yap & Grace Lee - New Couples?)

The second part was shown on The Buzz today and there, Kris finally talked about her failed marriage with James Yap and the reasons which led to it.

Here are some juicy details I've summed up for you based from Kris' The Buzz interview today, August 01, 2010:

**Kris appealed to James not to use her mother's name in his interviews about their marriage

*That James should also be true to the public of his real feelings for her

*She and James were not in good terms for so 7 months already and were sleeping in different rooms for a long time before they parted ways in June

*They tried to pretend they're ok all throughout the campaign of brother Noynoy because she didn't want her marital problem be taken against Noynoy

*That she fell out of love with James. She realized it last April 26 (1 week after Baby James 3rd birthday) when James Sr. said something bad about James Jr. (She didn't disclose what James said)

*That James wasn't loyal to her. Quote from Kris: "Nambabae nga sya pero pinatawad ko."

*That the Hope Centeno-James Yap controversy in 2007 didn't have closure

*That she has no idea about James having a child to another woman, but she wouldn't mind if in case there is

*James is already dating somebody else and Kris said, "That's good!"

Kris Aquino & Junjun Binay, James Yap & Grace Lee - New Couples?

After a month of moving apart, Kris Aquino and James Yap are already being romantically linked to other people.

Kris is currently being linked to Sen. Chiz Escudero and Makati Mayor Junjun Binay while James is rumored dating "Diz Iz It" host Grace Lee.

In her interview with Boy Abunda for SNN Confessions, Kris denied any romantic involvement with Sen. Chiz. She said that she was just joking to Chiz of a possible 2016 Elections tandem for them, Chizzy Krissy, as
President and Vice President candidates, but nothing more than that.

As for Junjun Binay, Kris only met him during her mother's wake last
year and also when Junjun's wife died the same year.

But Kris considers Junjun as his ideal man. "He's smart, responsable,
mapagkakatiwalaan and alam kong hindi ako lolokohin," she said.

It seems Kris likes Junjun, who's the son of VP Jejomar Binay, and maybe in the future, they'll end up together.

In fact, Kris revealed that if ever Junjun will ask her out for dinner, she'd gladly say YES. But not now.

James Yap meanwhile is reportedly dating TV host Grace Lee. I've read about it before on People's Journal.

And Grace denied the rumor while James denied Grace by asking who she is.

Kris Aquino not pregnant says manager

The showbizlandia was shocked to hear this morning that "Pilipinas,
Win na Win!" host Kris Aquino is reportedly pregnant.

Stir.ph was the one who reported about it in an article with the
simple title "Kris Aquino is pregnant!" (with an exclamation point and not a question mark).

And the report says that a reliable source told them about it, and allegedly, Kris hosting Pilipinas, Win na Win! starting this Saturday might not push through.

That pregnancy rumor led some people to ask, "Sino ang ama?" because
Kris and husband James Yap were no longer living together in one house, long before she left for US. And obviously, the two weren't having a "doo" for a long time already.

An hour after, PEP posted on its Twitter account that Deo Endrinal, Kris' manager on TV, has denied that she is pregnant.

"Will never happen because she had a very difficult pregnancy with
Baby James, remember?" Endrinal told PEP.

Endrinal admitted though that Kris did visit her OB Gyne a week before she flew to the US, but Kris had to get a clearance there for her new
cervical cancer ad, and not for pregnancy check-up. "Grabe naman magbalita ang mga tao!", he said.

He later announced to PEP that Kris will return to the country on Friday, arriving at 4AM. "Will meet and rehearse in ABS-CBN the same day with Robin and cast of the new noontime show (Pilipinas, Win na Win!)".

We wouldn't be surprised if the next headline is "Kris Aquino, nagpalaglag sa States'" which is so much far from being possible.