MANILA, Philippines?It?s a one-two punch from Team Krista.

Smarting from a slew of intrigues, Krista Ranillo?s relatives?grandmother Gloria Sevilla and aunt Suzette Ranillo?have defended the troubled 25-year-old actress from persistent rumors of an illicit affair with boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

Upon the Inquirer?s request, Sevilla issued a statement regarding the raging controversy.

?I?m deeply saddened that some people are condemning my dear Krista,? said Sevilla, whose son Mat Ranillo III is the father of the controversial actress. ?I am personally requesting people to check facts before judging [her].?

She continued: ?Unfortunately, I am not in a position to speak for Krista. She?s my granddaughter and I love her dearly, but she?s of age and she?s a smart lady. I?d like to give her the chance to speak for herself. It?s her right.?

Sevilla appealed to the public for patience. ?You will hear from her soon. You will hear from her father Mat soon, too.?

Krista?s manager Arnold Vegafria said the controversial actress would hold a press conference upon her return from Los Angeles, where she is staying with her family.

Instead of dwelling on intrigues, Sevilla asked the public to understand their plight. ?We are focusing on my teenaged granddaughter Trixie?s major surgery in the US.?

The surgery of Trixie, Krista?s sister, was allegedly paid for by Pacquiao.

In a phone interview Sunday, Sevilla said ?the bills for Trixie?s operation are not that expensive because she?s an American citizen. I don?t know why some people are making a big fuss about this surgery... which is long overdue.?

Sevilla said she and her daughter Suzette would be leaving for the United States in time for Trixie?s surgery next month. ?Krista will be in the US with her sister.?

Suzette explained that Trixie?s surgery was in ?the bone-grafting phase? for the treatment of a cleft lip and palate.

?She?s had a series of surgeries. She?s not an ordinary cleft lip and palate case,? she said. ?Trixie?s condition is delicate because she was clinically dead for an hour and 15 minutes when she was less than a year old.?

It was a turning point for the family, Suzette recalled.

?Her platelets dropped enormously,? she said. ?I know because I was there praying with Mat at the hospital. She?s a miracle baby, but after that she started having seizures.?

Sevilla said: ?We almost lost her before. We cannot afford to lose her again.?

Instead of rumors and controversies, ?I?m appealing for your prayers,? she added.

And how is Krista holding up? Her manager, Vegafria told the Inquirer that his ward was ?suffering anxiety attacks? as a result of the controversy.

Suzette believes the scandal will not have an adverse effect on her niece?s career. ?Krista is dynamic, smart, loving and God-fearing. I?m proud of her. I love her unconditionally. Her image is not based on rumors. It?s based on good looks and great acting.?

She also advised Krista ?to stay resilient in spite of the hurtful words ? focus on improving your craft and choose projects wisely.?

There have been rumors that the scandal was concocted to promote Pacquiao?s and Krista?s coming movie, ?Wapakman,? an entry in next month?s Metro Manila Film Festival.

Said Vegafria: ?I?m sure ? that?s a question for the publicists of this movie. They?re the ones behind all this.?