PBA heartthrobs and their Valentine’s game plans

MANILA, Philippines –They are used to being mobbed by their female fans. Many girls would die to get their attention and affection.

But on Valentine’s Day today, PBA heartthrobs James Yap, Chris Tiu, Arwind Santos and Paul Lee would rather shun away from the shrieks and adulation of their female fans and reserve this day for their special someone.

Almost one hour removed from the 93-78 beating his team San Mig Coffee took from Petron Blaze last night, James Yap was slumped on his locker seat in the San Mig Coffee’s dugout with red spots all over his knees. 

What he hoped to be a “Birthday Salubong” party turned out to be an ugly rout. For the second straight game, Yap led the Mixers in scoring with 25 points.

Unfortunately, his team was again in the losing end. While Yap is averaging 22 points on 47 percent shooting from the field, his team is struggling to pile up the wins. This is the Big Game James we used to watch. But this is not the San Mig Coffee we saw last season that won the Commissioner’s Cup crown.

Despite San Mig Coffee’s early struggles, Yap is still upbeat of their chances to defend their title.

“Isa sa mga wish ko for my coming birthday ay manalo kami ulit ng championship. Siyempre, hindi nawawala yun (One of my wishes for my coming birthday is for us to win another championship. Of course, that will always be in my wish list),” Yap told philstar.com.

Yap, who will turn 31 on Friday, can withstand the pain of losing but not missing his son on his birthday.

“Malungkot nga kasi hindi ko makakasama si Bimbi (Baby James) dahil aalis sila nila Kris (Aquino) (It’s sad because I won’t be with Bimbi because he will leave with Kris),” said Yap referring to his ex-wife, who is also celebrating her birthday today.

The two-time PBA MVP said he plans to celebrate his birthday with his family and close friends.

“May dinner kami sa Friday with my family. Actually, nandito na sister ko. Ang parents ko parating rin,” Yap said.

But before his birthday, Big Game James has also big plans for today to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

“May dinner date,” was Yap’s short reply, careful not to spill the beans.

Pressed for more details, Yap beamed with a boyish smile.

“Secret. Basta hindi taga-Showbiz. Ayoko na ng taga-showbiz, masyadong magulo (She’s not from showbiz. I no longer want someone from showbiz. It’s chaotic,” he added.

Tiu, the baby-faced rookie of Rain or Shine usually gets the most shrieks from female fans even from the opposing team each time he enters the hard court. The former Ateneo Blue Eagle, who is also a TV host, businessman and a former SK Chairman and now a council member in Urdaneta, Makati, has kept his plans for Thursday secret.

“Valentine’s Day for me is making your loved one feel so special,” Tiu told philstar.com. “But I have no plans yet on Thursday.”

The 27-year-old hard court heartthrob, who has a longtime girlfriend, said he is the flowers-chocolate type of guy.

Meanwhile, Tiu’s teammate (Paul) Lee will have a double celebration on Thursday. The Rain or Shine sophomore playmaker will also mark his 24th birthday on Valentine’s Day.

“We’ll have dinner with my family and my girlfriend. Birthday ko rin kasi yung Valentine’s Day,” said the Tondo-born cager.

Santos, on the hand, is looking forward to Thursday to spend some private time with his wife, who had just given birth to their third child – his first-born son.

“My plan is to have a movie and dinner date with my wife pero kung hindi pa niya kaya [since cesarean siya], I’ll just a have dinner prepared at home with our kids,” said Santos, whose longtime wish to have a baby boy has finally been granted.