MANILA, Philippines – Cager James Yap has admitted that he is trying to win the heart of his wife, Kris Aquino, again.

“Oo, sinusuyo ko siya. Binibigyan ko rin siya ng space para makapag-isip-isip,” Yap told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview.

He said he also knows that Aquino needs space to think things over, and that he is respecting it.

Yap, star player of B-Meg Derby Ace (formerly Purefoods), also confirmed to ABS-CBN News that he was prayed over by his teammates. According to an ABS-CBN source, it was led by a priest and that it happened before he issued his official statement.

The source also said that his teammates were advised not to comment on the issue as a sign of respect for Yap’s privacy.

In his official statement, Yap said he would fight to keep his family intact despite Aquino’s pronouncement that they were separating. Aquino said she broke off her relationship after Yap said some harsh words against her in front of their son, Baby James.

But Yap said he would fight to save his 5-year marriage for the sake of their child, 3-year-old Baby James, as well as Josh, Aquino’s child from a previous relationship.

"At isa pa, nangako ako kay Mom Cory (the late former president Corazon Aquino) na hindi ko pababayaan ang pamilya namin. Na aalagaan ko si Kris, si Josh at si Baby James. Nangako rin kami ni Kris sa harap ni Mom Cory na hindi kami maghihiwalay,” he said.

He also pointed out that he and Aquino have been through a lot, “and I don’t think this is the time for us to give up.”

“Gusto ko talagang i-save ang pagsasama namin dahil syempre, may anak kami at hindi biro ang halos 6 na taon naming pagsasama. Umaasa pa rin ako na darating ang tamang panahon na maaayos ang lahat,” he said.

He added: "Inuulit ko, it's final, ipaglalaban ko ang pagsasama ng pamilya natin. At sa tulong ng Diyos , alam kong malalampasan natin ang pagsubok na ito!" -Report from Gretchen Fullido, ABS-CBN News