Janelle’s date with Yao

When Nike marketing manager Auty Villarama invited Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) TV broadcaster Janelle So to monitor the activities of the shoe and apparel company’s endorsers at the 14th Asian Games in Busan, he knew that sooner or later the pretty pixie would face up–literally–to Chinese giant Yao Ming.

Yao is among a slew of Nike athletes in Busan. In fact, the entire Chinese men’s basketball team is swoosh-sponsored. So are six Chinese-Taipei, five Japanese, and six Filipino cagers. The roster also lists stars in athletics, baseball, tennis and soccer.

The other day, Auty got his wish. Janelle had a "date" with the 7-5 Yao at the Nike hospitality suite in the Marriott Hotel.

Starry-eyed Janelle couldn’t believe her good fortune. It’s not everyday you get a chance to talk to a National Basketball Association (NBA) top overall draft pick. And it’s not everyday an NBA top overall draft pick gets to talk to a summa cum laude graduate from Miriam and the world’s third sexiest woman voted by FHM magazine’s Filipino readers.

Here’s Janelle’s exclusive report on her appointment with destiny.

"I grew up with the idea that giants were scary and obnoxious like the villain in Jack and the Beanstalk. That’s why I’ve always thought that if I came face to face with a giant, I’d run away and scream. But no. Recently, I chanced upon one at the Nike hospitality suite. Instead of reacting the way I thought I would, I hung around and waited patiently so I could get an interview.

"He was far from scary. Actually, he was very shy. Tony Li, sports marketing manager for Nike China, asked him if he had time for a short interview with a journalist from the Philippines. He obliged though he’s not very fluent in English. Rudy Zhang of Nike China acted as our interpreter. It was a very short but pleasant interview. He gamely answered questions though he hardly looked up. I stood as tall as him when he was seated.

"The 7-5, 296-pound Yao Ming inherited his love for basketball from his mom, Fang Yao, who used to be captain of the Chinese women’s team. However, he confessed that he really didn’t like basketball from the start. He developed a liking for it when he started growing up. Now he likes the sport like men love cars. And why wouldn’t he? Basketball has given him so much.

"From China, he dribbled his way across the Pacific to end up being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. ‘I’m excited to play in the NBA but I’m also aware that I will be facing tough challenge and pressure,’ admitted the big man. And when he feels pressure of this kind, he relaxes himself by watching TV, playing video games and logging on the net, pretty much like what other 22-year-olds do.

"There are reports though about the uncertainty of Yao actually playing in the NBA because of alleged problems with the Chinese basketball authorities. But despite that, his picture continues to stay posted in billboards all over Houston with a caption that reads ‘The Start of Something Big.’ And of course, he is certainly looking forward to playing against his idols. He said he would try his best because he wants to be like them, if not better. Fortunately, for him and his fans all over the world, we got reports from a reliable source that everything should be smooth-sailing with his entry into the prestigious ranks of the NBA.

"For now, he’s concentrating on leading his team to the Promised Land here in the 14th Asian Games. His parents back home must be really proud of their only son. And I’m sure the whole Chinese nation shares the same sentiment. In fact, Yao’s parents were exempted from the one-child policy in China that limits couples to only one offspring. Looks like the genes of Yao’s parents combine well. We’ll see if they can produce more ‘moving great walls’ in the future."

Standing up, Janelle probably reached only up to Yao’s waist. But she didn’t mind. Neither did Yao. The pixie and the giant got along just fine on their "date" in Busan.

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