Gerald Anderson shares how to become a better basketball player

Rhea Manila Santos

<div style='text-align: center;'><img src='https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/2014/100714/100714-gerald_main2.jpg' alt='100714-gerald_main2.jpg' width='480' height='318' align='center' border='0'><br/></div><div style='text-align: left;'><br/></div><div style='text-align: left;'>From the first time he ever held a basketball when he was six years old, Kapamilya heartthrob Gerald Anderson knew his heart was in the game. <i>“Batang bata pa ako nun. Naalala ko kulay blue pa at saka puti yung bola ko. Nalalakihan pa ako sa bola nun kasi ang liit liit ko pa nun. Hindi ako naniniwala na yun yung gamit nila kasi ang laki nung bola,” </i>he recalled. Now, as one of the most talented actor-athletes in the country, the star shares some advice on being a better baller.</div><div><br/></div><div style='text-align: center; '><img src='' alt='100714-gerald_main.jpg' width='480' height='318' align='center' border='0'><br/></div><div><br/></div><div>1. Be an all-around player</div><div><i>“Unang una siyempre you want to be a team player. Kailangan marunong ka magdala ng team in the best way so you should try to practice everyday. Gusto mo magaling ka pumasa, gusto mo magaling ka mag-dribble, mag-shoot. Meron akong gym sa bahay. I would like to work out everyday sana kung puwede. Pero it depends sa schedule.”</i></div><div><br/></div><div>2. Stay focused</div><div><i>“Mentally you have to know what you want to improve. There’s no key to this, nasa puso mo na lang yun eh. Kumbaga kapag dumating yung point na kahit anong gagawin mo, iniisip mo siya, kapag hindi mo ginagawa naiisip mo pa din, kumbaga nag-e-enjoy ka, in love ka sa game. It depends sa person kung gaano siya ka-passionate. Walang sikreto dun.”</i></div><div><br/></div><div>3. Do your research</div><div><i>“I used to do that lalo na nung naglalaro ako dati. Idol ko kasi si LeBron James so I want to mimic his game and all-around player siya and that’s what I want to be. Gusto ko maging team player.”</i></div><div><br/></div><div>4. Eat Right</div><div><i>“Before a game you should eat light. Ako gusto ko light lang para light lang din yung pakiramdam ko sa court. Pero after the game yun puwede ka na kumain ng marami kasi napagpawisan ka na ng sobra.”</i></div><div><br/></div><div>5. Enjoy the sport</div><div><i>“At the end of the day kailangan enjoy mo rin yung game kasi it is just a game. And I think that is the best way na mailabas yung laro mo when you’re enjoying it. Kasi pag masyadong maraming pressure and you think about it, masisira lang laro mo.”</i></div><div><br/></div><div>6.  Remember to rest and recover</div><div><i>“After a big game you have to recover kasi that’s the most important thing. I want to be playing basketball hanggang sa kaya ko. Hanggang sa kaya ng tuhod ko. Ngayon, when I have taping until four or five in the morning, medyo hindi siya puwede for basketball so I really wish I could play more. I was an athlete before I was an actor.”</i></div><div><br/></div>

Gerald Anderson shares how to become a better basketball player | PUSH.COM.PH