...continued

GA: How did you develop that remarkable leaping ability?

Yeo: Yung style ng laro ko, parang pareho lang sa brother ko eh. Si Jeff, yung pinakamatanda. 26 years old siya ngayon. Player siya dati ng Grace Christian, sa Tiong Lian (Filipino-Chinese league) din. Pero hanggang high school lang siya nagbasketball. Siguro nahawa ako sa kanya since palagi kaming naglalaro since bata.

GA: You once said you�re restraining yourself from gimmicks. Why�s that?

Yeo: Wala kasing time eh! Actually, nung first year, second year pa ako, nakakalabas pa ako kahit minsan, kasi hindi pa ako masyadong gamit dati. Ngayon, parang gusto ko palagi maging fit, hindi nagpupuyat, kaya iwas gimik muna. Puro dinner lang, movie, kasama girlfriend ko. Pero hindi madalas. Si Mia, madalas ko siya kasama dito lang sa school.

(Editor�s Note: Speaking of Mia, she suddenly entered the Java Caf� where I was having this interview, smiled at me before sitting down with us.)

GA: So Joseph, last question. Paul Chua once said her girlfriend should understand that he loves basketball more than anything or anyone else. Can you say similarly?

Yeo: (turns to Mia, then smiles) Hindi naman siguro ako aabbot sa ganun.

GA: What if she demands you to give up a typical dreary La Salle night practice at the Sports Complex for a romantic evening date say, like Tagaytay?

Yeo: Naiintindihan naman niya. Syempre, sa basketball, 16 kami dyan, sama mo pa yung coaching staff. At least, siya isa lang na kailangang umintindi at mag-adjust sa schedule ko. Eh kapag practice, lahat sila kelangang mag-adjust diba? Tsaka hindi naman ganun si Mia. (smiles)

***exquisite's comment:: whew, what a very long article! ;p