CELEBRITIES are also fan boys, and Gerald Anderson is no exception.
The television and movie star's lit up and he broke into a wide grin when asked by SPIN.ph to reveal the story behind his jersey number for our long-running Jersey Story series.
“Three, ever since number three. Makikita mo sa lahat ng mga games na nilalaro ko No. 3 talaga,” said Anderson during the launch of Skechers' newest line of running shoes which he is endorsing.
“Kahit bata pa lang ako kasi idol ko si Allen Iverson eh, siya talaga ang inspiration ko kung ‘bat ako nag-basketball so everytime No. 3 ako,” he added.
In fact, when the former Philadelphia 76ers star went to the Philippines in 2014, Anderson made sure to meet his idol.
“Sobra (gusto ko siya i-emulate) at noong pumunta siya dito sa Pinas, pumunta ako talaga, naghintay ako kasi gusto ko talaga makapag-papicture sa kanya,” he shared.
“Oo (nakapagpa-picture ako) at sinabi ko sa kanya na idol ko siya. Fan boy ako noon, sobra,” he added with a chuckle.
Anderson, of course, is a former varsity star in General Santos and is only recovering from a hamstring injury before making his long-awaited debut in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
He can't wait for that to happen.
"Iba talaga kahit hindi pa ako nakalaro pero syempre nagpa-practice ako tapos sa practice nangyari pa ‘yung injur,y but iba ‘yung ano eh (feeling)," said the actor.
"Bilang syempre ang pinakapangarap ko talaga noong bata pa ako maging basketball player, tapos the fact na nangyayari siya and I have the opportunity para maglaro sobrang thankful lang ako.
"Sa practice pa lang, sa pagpapagaling sa injury, binibigay ko ang best ko kasi gusto ko na maglaro eh, gusto ko na makatungtong na sa court."