PBA courtside reporter and content creator Apple David has once again addressed the grooming allegations surrounding her relationship with basketball player Chad Gammad, assuring people that she started dating him when he was of legal age.
Apple made the clarification on Facebook after posting a new photo with Chad, which drew mixed reactions from netizens. While many expressed support for the couple, others questioned their 15-year age gap, with some accusing Apple of allegedly grooming the 18-year-old athlete.
One netizen, however, said they had no issue with the relationship if it only began after Chad reached legal age.
“Hindi mo naman ako basher tbh. I hope you only started dating him after he turned 18. Yon lang. Because if you were together before that, it means you were dating a minor. And that's an issue. But if you started hanging out once he was of legal age, I don't see any reason to bash you,” the commenter wrote.
In response, Apple clarified that she and Chad only began dating in April this year, adding that they did not even know each other before he moved to the Philippines from Canada.
“No worries, we started dating just this April 2026. He moved to the Philippines from Canada just last year. Didn't know each other before that 🫶🏻,” she replied.
Apple also firmly denied claims that she groomed Chad, saying there was never an opportunity for such a thing to happen.
“No way to groom him. And to be honest, I don’t need to groom anybody just to like me. All you baby girls using dump accounts take that. sorry not sorry 🤍,” she added.
Several netizens came to the couple's defense, urging others to respect their relationship.
"Go on Ms. Apple don’t mind those words and those bashers. Remember its your life not ours. So live the way you wanted it… Choose to be happy always you owe it to yourself," one supporter commented.
Another wrote, "Not gonna lie, nung una talaga I was like, 'Whaaat?' Pero habang tumatagal, nakikita ko naman na genuine talaga sila sa isa’t isa. And wala naman silang tinatapakang tao or sinasaktang iba. May feelings din sila, guys. Yung iba kasi sobra na sa mga sinasabi, parang below the belt na. Besides, naclear naman na nilang dalawa lahat ng mga 'tanong' so I think that's enough na. Hayaan na lang natin sila maging masaya. 🤍"
READ: Chad Gammad strikes back against bashers: ‘Wala naman ginawang masama si Apple sa inyo’
The clarification comes as Apple and Chad continue to face scrutiny over their relationship online.
Earlier this month, Chad publicly defended Apple after receiving negative comments on a National Girlfriend's Day post featuring the content creator. Some netizens referred to Apple as his "mommy" because of their age difference.
Responding to the criticism, Chad wrote: “Mag-isip-isip naman kayo bago kayo mag-comment o baka may sira talaga sa utak niyo."
"Wala namn ginawang masama si Apple sa inyo ba't ganun kayo kabilis mag bash tas sabihin nyo na namn na si Apple nag-comment neto,” he added.
Apple had also previously addressed the issue in a series of live videos last June, where she rejected accusations that she had groomed Chad.
“Di ko siya ginugroom, wala sa qualifications. Yung nangyayari sa amin, malayong malayo sa grooming so wag niyong ipilit,” she said.
READ: Apple David on allegations of grooming 18-year-old Chad Gammad: ‘Wala sa qualifications’
Although she denied the allegations, Apple also challenged those making the accusations to pursue legal action if they truly believed she had committed wrongdoing.
“Pero kung gusto niyong ipilit, again, go. Story niyo yan. Kung sa tingin niyo, yun yung case na nangyayari, bakit hindi niyo ireklamo at ipaimbestiga ng malaman niyo din naman. Okay din sa akin ’yun para ma-clarify na walang ganun,” she asserted.
In a separate video, Apple also reminded critics that they are free to unfollow her if they are uncomfortable seeing updates about her relationship.
“Of course walang masama kahit ipost ko pa lahat nung mga pictures namin. Love life ko yun at tsaka page ko yun eh. Puwede naman kayong mag unfollow, wag nalang kayong tumingin. O kaya, pumikit nalang kayo para hindi niyo makita. Hindi kayo maging uncomfortable or hindi kayo mabwiset,” she said.
She likewise maintained that the online accusations have not affected her professional career, saying she has not received any notice from her employers because there is no basis for the claims being made against her.