I bet you didn't know: PBA players share one thing most people are unaware about them

Basketball players in this hoops-loving nation have hordes of fans who, like investigators, know a lot about their idols.

Thanks to the prominence of social media, it is much easier to get to know more about one's favorite athletes. 

But while supporters get treated to their idols' personal photos on Facebook or Instagram, a peek into their thoughts on X, a momentary look in their day-to-day activities on their stories or a glimpse into their talent as they follow dance crazes on TikTok, there are still some things that these athletes choose to keep to themselves.

In a brief chat with One Sports, some of your favorite PBA players opened up about one of the things that most people don't know about them.

Magnolia's Jerrick Ahamisi, whose spectacular play early into the season finally earned him his first Player of the Game honors last Sept. 1, shared his other passion: playing video games.

"One thing people do not know about me is I like to play video games. It's another passion of mine besides basketball, so if I'm not playing basketball, I'm usually playing video games," said Ahanmisi.

He said that Call of Duty is his favorite game, but described himself as an "all-around gamer" and is actually up for anyone who would like to play.

"Xbox, Playstaion, PC, whatever. I usually play Call of Duty. Call of Duty is my number one. But I am an all-around type of gamer, so if there's anybody that wants to play any type of games, just let me know," said Ahanmisi.

[ALSO READ: PBA: Magnolia developing Jerrick Ahanmisi to be two-way player]

 Magnolia center James Laput, meanwhile, was first a taekwondo jin before delving into basketball. He is actually a first dan black belter.

"One thing that most people don't know about me is I initially started martial arts as my first sport. I'm a first dan black belt in taekwondo and I was doing that until the age of 17," said Laput.

"I didn't start playing basketball until I was about 13, 14 years old. So martial arts was my first sport. Still lots to improve on basketball-wise," he added.

Meralco rookie CJ Cansino, for his part, said that he is a frequent churchgoer.

"Palasimba ako, eh," bared Cansino.

For NorthPort's Evan Nelle, he kept it short.

"I'm quiet if I'm uncomfortable," said Nelle.

Evan Nelle, and Venky Jois with wife Allison (Art by Mitzi Solano; Photos courtesy of Nelle/Instagram and Jois)

 
On the other hand, music and basketball blend well together for Venky Jois as the Australian reinforcement of the Batang Pier shared that he plays the piano. His wedding with his then-girlfriend of nearly five years, Allison, seemed just like the perfect time to make the grand reveal of his secret talent.

"What most people don't know about me is I play the piano. Not many people know that. I played the piano in my wedding this summer. And everyone was like, 'What? You can do that?'" said Jois.

Jois played "Mia and Sebastian’s Theme Song" from the movie "La La Land" upon the request of Allison.

"'La La Land' is Allie’s favorite movie, and she said she’d be very happy if I learned that song," said Jois.

"So I learned it and played it at our wedding!" added Jois.

[ALSO READ: PBA players Evan Nelle, Venky Jois, Zavier Lucero share their 'puppy love']

Venky Jois plays "Mia and Sebastian’s Theme Song" from the movie "La La Land." | Video taken by Jois for One Sports

Asked if he was good at playing the piano, Jois answer was a quick yes.

"Yes, I thoroughly enjoy it. I can play some good songs, how's that?" he said.

[ALSO READ: Ginebra's Stephen Holt recalls late grandma's constant support: 'She was able to watch the games... She loved doing that']

The 31-year-old Jois shared that he has always been a fan of classical music, but it was when he watched the 2001 movie "Amélie" and heard its soundtrack that he decided to learn how to play the songs.

He added that he knew the basics on how to read music from primary school but was self-taught in playing the piano after that.

Venky Jois plays "La Valse d'Amélie" from the movie "Amélie" | Video taken by Jois for One Sports

"So I actually watched a movie about 15 years ago called 'Amélie,' and the soundtrack was out of this world incredible. And that’s when I decided to learn the songs from it," said Jois.

"I always liked the sound of classical music, but those ones resonated, and we ended up buying a piano for my birthday and I started," he added.

(With reports from Gillian Trinidad/One Sports)