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| BINI member Aiah Arceta quickly became a basketball topic due to her friendship with Rain Or Shine's Caelan Tiongson. Screen capture from YouTube |
MANILA--The PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals between Rain Or Shine and TNT have become more interesting due to a reason beyond basketball.
Girl group singer Aiah Arceta was seen watching Games 2 and 4 of the best-of-seven series at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, respectively.
Quickly, basketball fans and Blooms, BINI's fanbase, alike deduced that Arceta was there to support Elasto Painter Caelan Tiongson in action, and just as fast as the speculation, the friendship between the hardworking forward and former teen beauty queen turned popstar became the sidelight of the semifinals.
In an interview with One Sports' Gillian Trinidad after ROS's Game 3 win on Sunday night, Tiongson confirmed that he is churchmates with the BINI member, saying, "I met Aiah through a mutual friend at [Favor Church], and all I'm gonna say is that she's a really great person."
However, Tiongson, who admitted that he is a Bloom, kept mum regarding speculations between him and Arceta, saying, "I'm not going to speak on her personal life more than that."
On the other hand, after the said speculations were further fueled when she was caught on national television watching Game 4 live, Arceta finally broke her silence through a tweet on Thursday night.
According to the young singer, she is disappointed at how fans have interpreted her friendship with Tiongson to the point that rumors of a romance between them began to swirl.
"I am aware of what has been happening lately, and honestly, it’s interesting to see how it has become such a big deal for some, along with the multiple theories circulating about it. It’s also fascinating to observe how quickly noise can grow and how many people can misunderstand so many things. I also notice that almost everyone I hang out with or surround myself with gets linked, no matter who they are, whether it’s a friend, a superior, or even a relative, which I find unfortunate," Arceta said.
She then said that she released a statement after her friends were bashed online.
"Usually, I am just unbothered and let things be because I know what’s truly happening behind all the commotion. But this time, it pains me to see that the people who make me feel safe, calm, and normal, and those who contribute to my happiness are being ridiculed and made fun of online. My friends have been such a great help to me, especially lately, and I think they don’t deserve the hate. There are so many sides and truths that people don’t see, and I just hope we can all be kind to one another because kindness is free, and we all need it. I hope and pray that all the hate gets suctioned out and is instead filled with nothing but love. Let’s all be loving and kinder to one another," BINI Aiah further tweeted.
While Arceta did not specify her friends who are getting some heel heat lately, Tiongson told his newfound bashers in an Instagram story to not stretch the hate to his loved ones.
"I'm praying for all those who spread hateful comments this morning. If you'd like to throw it that way, that's fine! But family, friends, and teammates are undeserving of it," Tiongson said.
Whether Arceta shows up again for Game 5 on Friday night remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Tiongson would need to pull off a solid performance similar to his Game 3 showing if he wants to keep the Elasto Painters alive in their series against the now 3-1 leading Tropang Giga.
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