NEXT time you go gadget-shopping at Greenhills this holiday season, don’t be surprised if you see RR Garcia in one of the stalls there.
But nope, he doesn’t own a shop; he’s there just like the rest of us – looking for the latest smartphone, getting your laptop fixed, or buying whatever the latest technology has to offer.
The San Miguel Beer playmaker was recently spotted sitting behind the stall of his favorite and most-trusted shop inside Theatre Mall, spending some free time before going to an SMB Christmas party.
“Itong tindahan na ‘to, halos mga player ang pumupunta dito,” Garcia said when SPIN.ph bumped into the SMB point guard. “Nagpapalagay ako ng movies at music dito.”
Beth, one of the staff, said they always welcome Garcia inside the store, having known the former UAAP MVP since his college days at Far Eastern University.
Asked if he’s planning to put up his own cellphone shop in the future, Garcia can only joke about it.
“Wala, baka masapawan ko sila, baka magalit sa akin,” Garcia, who turns 27 on January 12, said as the shop keepers giggled around him.
“Sabi ko nga, magpapatayo ako ng ganito at kukunin ko sila eh,” he added. “Ayaw naman nila.”
Turning serious, Garcia said his focus is trained solely on his pro career for now, although he’s saving for his own house where he can move into from his condo along E. Rodriguez avenue.
“Focus pa ako (sa basketball),” Garcia said. “Hindi ko pa naiisip yun (mag-negosyo). Bahay muna. Wala pang negosyo.”
His single-minded determination is paying off so far.
Garcia is averaging close to nine points on 50-percent shooting, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 boards in 21.4 minutes in his first games for the Beermen as the team's sixth man.
But Garcia, acquired in the offseason to boost coach Leo Austria' side, is far from satisfied.
“Hindi ko pwede i-sustain lang, kailangan ko i-angat pa,” Garcia said. “Kung ano ang ibibigay sa akin ni coach na kumpiyansa, siguro mas tataasan ko pa.”