Joel “Malupiton” Ravanera was among celebrities who saw action in an exhibition game at the Pilipinas United 3x3 League.
When Joel “Malupiton” Ravanera began his career as a content creator, he never imagined being tapped as a “celebrity” in a basketball league like the Pilipinas United 3x3 League over the weekend.
Known for his antics and humor that focuses on deadpan delivery, Ravanera has garnered extensive following and is among one of the more influential names in Philippine social media. So he was tapped as the face of one of the teams in a celebrity exhibition game at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
Rubbing shoulders with star basketball players like two-time UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, La Salle guard Kean Baclaan, and former UAAP Rookie of the Year Juan Gomez de Liaño, Ravanera said that it was a delight to be able to play on that level.
“Nakakatuwa na 'yung mga napapanood ko lang dati, nakakasama ko na ngayon. It’s a pleasure,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Pilipinas United 3x3 League on Sunday.
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Though only reaching prominence in recent years, Ravanera said that he has long been a fan of basketball.
Now being able to do what he loves thanks to his impact as a content creator, Ravanera said that he considers himself lucky to be in this position.
“Dati pa lang, 'di pa kami nagvi-video, matagal na kaming naglalaro. Nakikipagpustahan kami. 'Di naman ganon kagalingan, naglalaro lang talaga kami,” he said.
“Aray ko, naging celebrity pa oh, parang si Lito Lapid ah. Hindi, nakakatuwa na makasama dito. Napasama pa ang bida. Nabunot pa,” he added.
Ravanera’s team wasn’t able to eke out the win, though, as he and Team Malupiton fell to Rendon Labador’s Team Motivated, 11-10.
But Maupiton was a good sport about it, and joked around about how he could’ve led them to the victory if he was able to eat well prior to the game.
“'Di ko alam na 10 minutes lang [yung laro], seryoso. Wala akong idea na 10 minutes lang. Eh 'di sana, tinambakan na namin kaagad sila. Palag palag talaga yan,” he said.
“At saka hindi kasi ako kumain, kaya gutom kasi ako kaya natalo kami. Isa rin yun sa dahilan.”