THERE’S a famous quote stating that behind every great man is a woman. And for some PBA players, there is always a lovely lady at ringside - cheering them on, consoling them after a tough loss, or fiercely defending them from all comers on social media.
SPIN.ph was able to interview four such women on Wednesday when Danica Sotto-Pingris, LJ Moreno-Alapag, Jeck Maierhofer and RR Enriquez dropped by the PEP office where they promoted “Happy Wife, Happy Life” their upcoming television reality show which is set to air on TV5 on January 19.
During a brief talk, the lovely women shared they have much in common despite the different teams their partners are playing for, one of which is the hobbies of the PBA stars which the ladies dislike the most - video games.
“Yung Clash of Clans ‘tsaka yung Call of Duty nila nakakairita! Napupuyat siya dun,” said RR, whose boyfriend is Jayjay Helterbrand, one half of Barangay Ginebra’s ‘Fast and Furious’ duo.
It got to the point that the model and TV personality said they once had a fight over it.
“Dati pinag-awayan namin 'yan, muntik na nyang basagin yung regalo ko sa kanyang Xbox. ‘Hindi na nga tayo lumalabas, gusto mo Xbox pa din?’ Pero ngayon okay na, natangap ko na,” RR said.
Jeck, whose husband Rico is with San Miguel Beer and is a Clash of Clans fan, shared how the Fil-Austrian player and his teammates would after every practice play ‘Monopoly Deal,' a card game based on the famous board game.
But according to Jeck, instead of using Monopoly money the team uses something different: “Ang tayaan nila, 'yung meal allowance after practice. Nakakatawa!”
According to his wife LJ, Talk 'N Text star Jimmy Alapag likes to play ‘Call of Duty’ on his Xbox in his downtime but has since toned down his habit.
“Mas tame na siya ngayon. Pero one thing - kapag nanunuod siya ng basketball, nasa computer niya basketball. Kapag nanunuod siya ng TV, ayaw niya papapalitan ng channel, kailangan basketball. He eats, lives, breathes basketball. It’s his life!”
Danica said her husband Marc is among those hooked to the popular video game ‘Defense of the Ancients.' “Kahit nasa lobby na kami ng hotel, DotA (pa din)!” said the showbiz scion who allows the 'Pinoy Sakuragi' the time to enjoy his pastime.
All of them are in agreement on the adjustments of having a PBA player for a life partner.
Danica was speaking for the group when she said, “The schedule, adjusting to their healthy lifestyles - sleep early, eat healthy. Hindi ka puedeng lumabas anytime or magbakasyon anytime if you’re married to a player who’s disciplined. Mahirap na adjustment, if regular employee who can file a leave then go have a vacation. Dito hindi, mag-aabang ka, 'Panalo ba? Talo ba?' Hindi mo talaga alam.
In our eight years I have never planned a trip - it’s always biglaan. Let’s leave for Hong Kong- two or three days preparation. We can all relate to this.”
LJ agrees, “Punta tayong Cebu and its mamaya na! As in agad-agad! And also for special events like communion ng anak, minsan yung birthday kailangan mo i-adjust. Hindi ka puwedeng mag-commit agad.”
As part of their commitment, they also share some pre-game rituals and routines.
“Bago siya pumunta sa game niya sasabihin ko sa kanya, 'Babe, pray and God bless on your game,'" RR shares. Danica said she also shares a prayer with Ping.
LJ, who accompanied the former Gilas captain to Spain during the Fiba World Cup, said he has a routine he began when she became his girlfriend, “Kapag jumpball, when he gets the ball he bounces it three times, looks at me and (makes a hand to face gesture).”
The superstitious Mrs. Maierhofer said she realized SMB won every time she wore black to the games, so she planned to continue the streak in Game One in the PBA Finals (unfortunately, the Beermen lost).
And not every game ends in a win.
“Kapag team niya talo, asahan mo mainit ang ulo niya. Uuwi, pahinga. Nganga! Pero pag win kain talaga! Kapag panalo lagi kaming kakain sa labas,” said Jeck.
LJ, on the other hand, said she gives Jimmy some space, “Medyo quiet muna sa car. When he starts talking I let him vent. After okay na siya, I make comments about the way he played kapag medyo malamig na yung ulo.”
RR, ever the comedienne, had a different approach: “Malakas akong mang-asar e. Pag kunyari talo, nakikigatong pa ako e. Kapag pangit yung laro niya sinasabi ko sa kanya pangit yung laro niya! But starting ng nasabihan ako na dapat maging supportive ako, kahit kaplastikan dapat pinupuri mo yung partner mo. Ayun, natuto na ako!”
Asked what they thought their partners would be if they weren’t PBA players, we received interesting responses. Dannica said Ping used to tell her he wanted to become a soldier but now that he’s a family man would soon likely become a businessman. LJ said the ‘Mighty Mouse’ who finished liberal studies, would probably be a teacher or a coach. Jeck laughingly surmises her husband would probably be looking after his family’s hotel in Puerto Galera and work as a valet. RR swears that Jayjay told her he would be okay going back to his old job as a plumber in the US when his playing days are over.
“OK lang siya na bumalik sa ganun. Yun ang totoo! Hindi siya maarte,” said the outspoken RR.
For more, stay tuned for the four lovely wives' Peptalk interview with our sister site PEP.ph.
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