Is love brewing between a basketball icon and a showbiz royal? According to a viral Reddit post — yes, and it’s no longer just a whisper in the dark.
Over the weekend, the Filipino online world was shaken as rumors once again ignited about James Yap, the PBA superstar-turned-politician and ex-husband of Kris Aquino, allegedly being in a romantic relationship with no less than Ciara Sotto, the daughter of showbiz and political legends.
While the same rumors made waves as early as 2022 — only to be firmly debunked by Ciara herself — the latest online chatter claims the relationship is now 100% confirmed, citing a “common friend” of Yap as the source.
“Confirmed 100%. Or baka late na ako sa balita? Hahaha. Common friend is a very close friend of James Yap. It’s probably an open secret but grabeeee,” the Redditor wrote.
The post sent netizens into a frenzy. While some expressed shock, others rolled their eyes, pointing to the pair’s long-standing connection in the celebrity circuit.
A Quick Recap: Who’s Who?
James Yap, a basketball legend and former MVP, is best known outside the court as the ex-husband of Kris Aquino, the Queen of All Media. After his high-profile breakup with Kris, he fathered two children with Italian partner Michela Cazzola. But by late 2023, the buzz was that James and Michela had quietly ended their relationship — though neither camp confirmed this.
Ciara Sotto, on the other hand, comes from Philippine entertainment royalty — daughter of Tito Sotto and Helen Gamboa, and cousin to actress-host Maja Salvador. Ciara was previously married to Jojo Oconer (annulled in 2019), and later dated Fil-Am model Ian Austin, a relationship that also ended in heartbreak in 2021.
The Birthday Party That Sparked It All
Rumors first began swirling in 2022 after James and Ciara were spotted seated together at Annabelle Rama’s star-studded birthday bash. The sighting raised eyebrows, especially after their chemistry appeared “too comfortable” according to anonymous insiders.
But Ciara was quick to shut it down.
“Nothing, wala talaga… saka hello, nakakahiya sa family niya,” she said at the time, dismissing it as a misunderstanding.
So why has the rumor returned now — and with so much intensity?
Netizens React: Shock, Shade, and Shipping!
As expected, Filipino netizens had strong feelings about the alleged couple.
💬 “Wait — I thought James was still with Michela??”
💬 “Ciara could do so much better. James is all over the place.”
💬 “Well, they’re both single. Why not?”
💬 “Ciara deserves a stable guy. She’s been through a lot.”
Many commenters expressed sympathy for Ciara, who has weathered public heartbreaks, and doubt about James’ long-term intentions given his romantic history.
Still, others pointed out: they’re both adults and single. If the rumor turns out to be true — who are we to stop them?
No Comment… Yet
Neither Ciara nor James has released a statement regarding the renewed speculation. Their social media accounts remain neutral — no cryptic posts, no sweet photos, no denials.
However, the silence itself is raising more questions.
Is this love story just a fabrication of gossip-hungry fans, or is something real blossoming beneath the surface? Are we about to witness a new showbiz power couple in the making?
Only time — and possibly a tell-all interview — will tell.
💥 FINAL THOUGHT:
Whether true or not, the rumor proves one thing: James Yap and Ciara Sotto have undeniable chemistry — at least in the public’s imagination. In a world obsessed with celebrity matchups, sometimes all it takes is one birthday party… to start a headline.
👀 Stay tuned. This story is developing.
