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Many were surprised when actor-model Derek Ramsay suited up for Batangas in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) in 2019.

Some surmised that this was just another case of a celebrity dabbling into sports for fun and a commercial league trying to cash in on a known personality for ratings and sponsorships.

This was actually not the case with Derek, who, unknown to many, is a skilled basketball player.

In fact, Derek played in the now-defunct Philippine Basketball League (PBL) as part of the Toyota Otis-Letran Knights way back in 2004.

Derek recalled how he ended up playing for the squad bannered by Letran players to Martin Javier during a guest appearance on Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96.

The Kapuso hunk remembered being approached by basketball icon and Letran legend Samboy Lim after seeing him play in Greenmeadows in Pasig City.

“Si Samboy natuwa sa laro ko. Sabi niya, 'Alam mo dude puwede ka maglaro, e. Ba't 'di ka mag-try out sa Letran? Magtatayo sila ng team sa PBL kasama ang Toyota Otis. E, champion yata ang Letran ng NCAA nung time na 'yon under Coach Louis Alas,” shared Derek.

Derek made it into the team to play alongside Letran stars Ronjay Enrile, Boyet Bautista, and Aaron Aban.

“Hirap ng training namin. Sometimes galing na ko sa set, sa taping, natutulog ako ng mga 20 to 30 minutes dun sa labas bago mag-start ng ensayo, tinatakbo namin ang Roxas Boulevard.”

The team ended up placing third at the end of the 2004 PBL season.

Despite the struggles, Derek only had fond memories of his short but exciting stint with the team and the amateur league.

“'Yong puyat, that's was no joke. That's the most important thing. If you train hard, you need to rest even more, your body needs to recover.

"During that time, I was a lot younger back then, I was in good shape naman because in college I was playing at the highest level in rugby, water polo, which requires na dapat fit na fit ka.”

He added, “So, 'yong fitness ko wasn't a problem. It was more of understanding organized basketball.

"Hindi naman tayo 'yong kanto-kanto basketball na ang daming magagaling na players, but it's different when it's organized basketball.”

To this day, Derek sees himself more as an athlete than an entertainer.

“That's my true love. I've been playing competitive sports ever since I was a child, football, rugby, water polo, almost all sports.”

Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 airs every Sundays at 5:05 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., and Mondays to Fridays at 2:45 p.m. on GTV.

Kapuso abroad can watch Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 via GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV. Visit www.gmapinoytv.com/ for more details.

Take a look at Derek Ramsay's many passions and favorites in this gallery: