James Yap admits: 'Ayaw ni Bimby sa akin'

MANILA — James Yap acknowledges that he is having a hard time connecting with his 10-year-old son, Bimby. 

In an interview with PEP, the former PBA MVP revealed that it has been eight months since he last saw Bimby. They were together on New Year's Day.

"After noong pumunta sa bahay noong New Year . . . actually mag-overnight sana, hindi nakapag-overnight dahil ang taas ng fever ni Bimb. And then dinala ko sa St. Luke's, so doon nag-New Year si Bimb," said Yap, who was at Thursday night's official launch of District 8, a new restaurant that he co-owns with Daniel Padilla and Vice Ganda.

Regarding court-imposed visitation rights, Yap said: "Hindi naman nasusunod. Di naman. Every Friday dapat."

Yap added that, despite his efforts, he and his son with Kris Aquino aren't getting along well.

"Alam mo, sa totoo lang, mahirap kasi pilitin iyong sarili, di ba? Mahirap pilitin iyong sarili mo na ayaw naman sa iyo," Yap said.

When asked if he thinks Bimby dislikes him, Yap quipped: "Oo, ramdam ko."

Despite the gap, Yap hopes that someday his son would learn to embrace him. 

"Sana pagdating ng 17, may desisyon na siyang sarili na, kung gusto niya ako makita, kung gusto niya ako makita na tatay niya, anytime dito ako," he added. 

When Bimby celebrated his birthday in April, Yap took to Instagram to greet him. 

Last Saturday, Yap threw a birthday party for his 1-year-old son with current girlfriend Michela Cazzola.