Guy talk with hoop stars Enrico Villanueva and Wesley Gonzales

CEBU, Philippines - Next to male movie stars, basketball players are likely next in line as the ones females most often prefer to worship and go gaga over. Some of these athletes seem to have everything going for them—looks, fame, fortune, and a bevy of adoring fans following their every move.

Two of PBA’s resident court heartthrobs were recently in Cebu to grace an Adidas shop opening at SM City Cebu. Basketball pros Wesley Gonzales and Enrico Villanueva are both endorsing the popular international athletic shoe brand.

According to his profile, Wesley became a household name even before the Ateneo Blue Eagles captured the UAAP crown in 2002. He became the most talked about collegiate basketball player, no matter what one’s affiliation. To showbiz insiders, his name rings a bell as the guy previously linked to GMA actress and Cebuana Isabel Oli. He claimed to be currently single.

On one hand, Enrico’s info cites him as one of the most hated players before by the Ginebra fans. Ironically, the former Ateneo star is now playing ball for the Barangay Ginebra Kings. Given the moniker “Raging Bull”, the burly 6’5” tall center was previously awarded the 2004-2005 PBA Most Improved Player, 2005-2006 PBA Fiesta Conference Best Player and 2005-2006 PBA Mythical First Team. He is married to his longtime girlfriend Nobina “Bing” Hao with whom he has one daughter.

Just for fun, The FREEMAN engaged the two celebrity cagers in some guy talk with a game of fill in the blanks...

ENRICO

Age: 29

Height: 6’5

Weight: 210 lbs.

Shoe size: 15

School: Ateneo de Manila University

Course: Interdisciplinary Studies

PBA team: Barangay Ginebra Kings

Position: Center/Forward

Typical day: Pagka may practices, practice at 9 am. We end around 12 noon then we’re basically free for the rest of the day. Pagka may game naman wala kaming gagawin sa umaga. We just wait for the game that’s usually in the afternoon. During my free time, I spend it with my 4-month-old daughter. I also love to travel. The most recent trip I had was to Punta Fuego.

Work-out/diet regimen: We practice around three hours a day so that kind of serves as my work out already. Sa diet, wala naman in particular. I’m not very conscious because we need to enjoy naman at times. I just try to eat healthy though.

Pair of shoes: More than a hundred. Marami na talaga!

Music: I listen to acoustic, yung mga nakaka-relax. Gusto ko sina Gail Blanco and Noel Cabangon.

Movies: I like romantic comedies.

Has been married for: Four years

First thing I notice in a girl: Siguro the way she dresses. Gusto ko yung malinis ba at simple lang.

Ideal date: A perfect dinner with my wife and a movie after.

Can’t leave the house without: My watch and my wallet.

If not a basketball player, I would have: I’ll probably be working in the US with my sisters who are already there.

On the stereotype that basketball players are playboys: I knew that question was coming. Meron talagang mga ganoon kaya nadadamay tuloy kaming mababait. Hindi naman ako ganoon, most definitely.

Weirdest experience with a fan: There was one girl who asked me to sign my autograph on her breasts.

Did you? I had to!

WESLEY

Age: 29

Height: 6’4

Weight: 180 lbs.

Shoe size: 12

School: Ateneo de Manila University

Course: BS Management Information

PBA team: Air 21 Express

Position: Forward

Typical day: I usually wake up at 6:30 am, then leave the house at around 7:30 am. I go to the gym at around 8 and then we start practicing na but we usually start our official practice at 9 am. That goes on until 12 noon. After that, lunch then if we have nothing to do after, run some errands like go to the bank. We cannot really determine our day off because it depends on the games. So this routine usually goes from Monday-Sunday. If I'm free and I have no errands to run, I work on my golf.

Work-out/diet regimen: Wala eh. Everyday din naman kaming tumatakbo during practice. And I also don’t really watch what I eat.

Pair of shoes: Sa akin, hindi naman ganun karami tulad ni Enrico. I have mga 20 pairs now siguro.

Music: I listen to all genres huwag lang yung heavy metal.

Books that I read: Right now I’m reading a self-help book, “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus”. Nakakahiya noh? Actually it’s the second time I’m reading it. Minsan I read love stories or action.

Last movie watched: “Date Night” with Tina Fey and Steve Carell

TV shows: I don’t watch TV. Unlike my sisters, I can stand not watching TV for days. So that I know what’s happening lately, either I check the internet or dyaryo.

Ideal girl: Iba-iba eh. Parang there’s a time I’m into chinita girls pero susunod, iba naman yung gusto ko. Yung mga girlfriend ko before, iba-iba eh, walang pattern.

Showbiz crush: Kim Chiu!

On the stereotype that basketball players are playboys: I don’t think so. Not all. Same way that not all blondes are dumb.

If not a basketball player, I would have been: Probably working in an office.

Can’t leave the house without: cellphone and wallet

Weirdest experience with a fan: Fans who stalk through text. Thank God wala pa namang nagsta-stalk in person!