Thursday, July 17, 2008 Kris, James react to PBA fuss
AN APOLOGETIC James Yap surfaced on television last Sunday after being implicated in an on-court melee against Talk 'N Text basketball team last July 9 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The altercation began after Purefoods' Jondan Salvador and Talk 'N Text import Terrence Leather had an intense physical contact that annoyed Leather, triggering him to throw the ball at Salvador.
After seeing what the towering import did to his teammate, Yap kicked Leather.
Leather then chased Yap who ran as he saw two giant players of Talk 'N Text going after him.
"I saw Jondan (get) hit by the ball so it's natural to defend my teammate," James explained.
The Purefoods cager, however, admitted his misbehavior.
"I admit what I did was wrong. I know I should be a good influence to kids so I want to say sorry to all the fans of Purefoods. I hope they understand because I am only human."
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) technical committee slapped Leather with a fine of P62,400 while James was asked to pay a fine of P50,000.
Talk 'N Text's Kalani Ferreria and Gilbert Lao were also made to pay a fine of P20,000 each; while Purefoods Enrico Villanueva (P30,000), Kerby Raymundo (P30,000), Rob Sanz (P28,000) and Jondan Salvador (P1,000).
The PBA meted a total of P244,400 worth of fines among the two teams which will be entrusted to the PBA Player's Trust Fund.
Though James accepted his fate, wife Kris Aquino said she is not in favor of the sanctions made by the PBA committee.
"This is only my opinion (not James'), feeling ko napag-iinitan na masyado ang asawa ko," Kris said.
