MANILA -- Young actor Jerome Ponce neither confirmed nor denied that he and volleyball star Mika Reyes are now officially a couple.

"Ayokong manggaling sa akin," he said in a recent interview with ABS-CBN News and selected members of media. "Ayokong maging assuming. Gusto ko na lang makita ng tao kung ano talaga kami."

But Ponce gave some hints about his relationship with Reyes, whom he described as his inspiration.

"Hindi naman sa hinawakan ako sa leeg. Quits kami," he said. "Kung walang magpapakumbaba, parehas kaming magso-sorry, sabay pa."

According to Ponce, he met the former De La Salle Lady Spiker through common friends when she appeared on "ASAP."

“Nag-get along kami with friends. She’s really nice nung na-meet ko na, lalo na nung nanonood ako ng games nila," he said.

“We’re getting to know each other more and more," Ponce added.

Asked of what he likes about Reyes, Ponce said: "More on sa pagkatao talaga niya. Siguro 'yung iba, ang alam mayabang, masyado siyang bully and stuff. But deep inside, she’s lovable," the actor said.

Reacts on 'McLisse'

Meanwhile, Ponce was also asked about his former girlfriend Elisse Joson, who is now being romantically linked to Hashtags member Mccoy de Leon.

Ponce said he has no idea if the two are now in a relationship.

“Wala akong komento dahil hindi ko na alam kung inspirasyon ba 'yon sa kanya o hindi," he said.

“Happy ako para sa kanya, siyempre. Matagal na rin naman niya na gustong magkaroon ng trabaho at makilala, mas lalong makita ang pagkatao niya.”

But Ponce admitted that there's still no closure between him and Joson.

“Hindi naman kailangan lahat ng closure. 'Yun na nga, wala pang closure, may dumating agad. Mas okay, 'di ba? Hindi ko in-expect sa sakit na naramdaman ko, mayroon palang biglang isang iglap na nagpapasaya sa akin."