MANILA -- Amid the confirmation of his split from former girlfriend Angel Locsin, Phil Younghusband on Friday thanked those who supported his relationship with the TV star.
The 26-year-old football player, in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News' Mario Dumaual, opted not to comment on his separation from the 28-year-old actress, but said he is grateful to the fans who followed their relationship since 2011.
Younghusband and Locsin became a couple on May 27, 2012, following a year-long romance that started with a tweet from the Azkals striker asking her out for Valentine's Day.
Asked how he is coping with the breakup, Younghusband said, "I can't comment on that, not right now. I just can't... I can't comment on that right now."
"I just thank everyone for their support. Everyone's been amazing, so I'm thankful to everyone," he said at the sidelines of the opening of a new theater hall at SM Aura in Taguig City.
He mentioned, in particular, the "Philgels," an organized fan group dedicated to Younghusband and Locsin as a couple.
"Thank you to everyone for their support, thank you to all the Philgels, and everyone who has supported me and my brother (James Younghusband), Angel, everyone, and the team. We're very thankful for them and I look forward to the future," he said.
Younghusband went on to thank his brother, who he said "has supported me all my life, on the football field, off the football field."
Locsin, in confirming the breakup early Friday, also played a similar tune as she thanked the supporters of her relationship with the football player.
"Pasensya na po kung hindi po kami makasagot agad tungkol sa status ng aming relasyon. Lalong-lalo na po sa mga sumuporta sa aming dalawa. Hindi po namin kayo binalewala... Mahirap lang po talaga kung nasa ganitong sitwasyon.
"Nagulat na lang kami na naunahan na kami ng balita bago pa man kami makpag-usap uli. Salamat po sa lahat ng sumubaybay at sumuporta sa journey namin ni Phil lalo na ho dito sa Twitter. Hinding-hindi po namin malilimutan," she said on the micro-blogging site.
For now, Younghusband said he is busying himself with preparations for the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup, which takes place in May 2014 in Maldives.
"The focus is always the same as it's always been," said Younghusband, who recently recoverd from a calf injury. "We have the Azkals, and there's a big competition -- the Challenge Cup next year. It's something to look forward to."
