The Philippine Entertainment Portal followed up on the Kris Aquino-James Yap issue that’s tearing this nation apart, with a report digging further into the identity of Mayen Austria, the girl who was the cause of the power couple’s latest spat. Friends of Austria came to her defense, saying that there was nothing going on between James and their friend:

A friend of Mayen said via a source, "Nagpapadala nga siya ng mga cupcakes, pero kahit sa ibang players ng Purefoods [Tender Juicy Giants]. Hindi lang kay James Yap." It was a "marketing" strategy of Mayen, whose family is in the pastry business.

Another source, who met Mayen through the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), affirmed, "Marami siyang kaibigan na players, at namimigay siya ng mga regalo sa kanila..."

Meanwhile, GMA’s evening news program 24 Oras featured a story on the latest developments on Kris and James’s situation. Chika Minute reporter Lhar Santiago visited the Purefoods practice to get a statement from James, who refused to be interviewed. But Kuya Lhar did not come home empty-handed because there was one person there who was only all too willing to be interviewed: Purefoods coach Ryan ‘The Genius’ Gregorio!

(UPDATE: Rafe Bartholomew points out in the comments: “Are we sure that our buddy Lhar actually visited Purefoods practice? If he did, then this footage, shot in the no-longer extant Adidas Sportskamp and featuring Marquin Chandler in the background, was certainly not taken yesterday. Some fishy broadcast journalism if you ask me.”)



Gregorio told GMA News that he gave James some marital advice, and confirmed that the girl was indeed just a fan of the team. I am not surprised, because he has been known to dispense his wisdom.

Great job, coach! Now how about going back to figuring out some fucking strategy so your team won’t fall into the PBA wildcards? Also, maybe you can tell Jondan Salvador to lay off of Mayen Austria’s cupcakes. And maybe leave some for Rico Maierhofer.