The rumor linking Isabel Oli to a cager began in December 2009.
According to the article published in PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), the guy was "katulad niya [na] laking-Bisaya."
The names of Dondon Hontiveros, a Cebuano, and Wesley Gonzales, a Manileño, came up, but Isabel quickly denied that anything romantic was brewing. "Hindi, ah! Actually, ang dami-dami kong friends na basketball players..."
In October 2010, she was spotted malling with James Yap, who—at that time—was embroiled in a controversy over a marital settlement with his famous wife, Kris Aquino.
(The TV host-actress announced their legal separation in July 2010.)
Isabel confirmed the sighting, but denied she was out on a date with James. In an article published last October 8, 2010, the Kapuso actress said, "Why kaya parang walang nakakita ng kasama ko that time? Para naman non-existent yung ka-date ko at kami lang ni James ang nakita ng nag-scoop noon. I was with somebody that time..."
Why does the problem continue to persist? Maybe it is simply because the men and women concerned would talk about it whenever media would bring up the subject.
How did it get so massive? James and Kris's son Bimby categorically answered "Isabel" in an interview when asked if he knew the name of his daddy's girlfriend.