Meet the viral Rain or Shine utility Eric Nanas, who has gained love from netizens thanks to the Elasto Painters, like Santi Santillan and Andrei Caracut.
Just as Rain or Shine standout Santi Santillan was preparing to entertain questions from the media, a fan disrupted the press conference and exclaimed the name of someone who wasn’t really part of the game.
“Ang galing mo, Eric Nanas!”
The said supporter, who could see Santillan and coach Yeng Guiao from the glass door of the press room at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, was actually referring to a member of the Elasto Painters' utility staff, Eric Nanas.
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Nanas has been a fixture in Santillan’s reels on Facebook. He also appears in RoS aces Andrei Caracut and Adrian Nocum’s social media accounts from time to time.
That was why Nanas has naturally gained some fame with the netizens, garnering 45,000 followers on Facebook as of this writing.
The 43-year-old long-time Rain or Shine ball boy has captured everyone’s hearts with his comic skits before or after team practices, as well as with his signature — albeit hilarious — laugh.
“Nakatutuwa nga po kasi nangyari 'yan. Biglang nagkaroon ako ng account. Maraming salamat sa mga followers ko,” said Nanas, who opened his own Facebook account on the prodding of Santillan.
“Nakatutuwa po. Sobrang saya rin.”
What people see on the reels, however, does more than delight netizens’ days.
For the team, those moments contributed to forging the camaraderie and chemistry among its members.
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With Nanas encouraging bonding time among the Elasto Painters, he has somehow helped build the bricks that make up this formidable squad now.
“Oo, [it strengthens our relationship with each other in the team.] Kasi lagi siyang (Nanas) nagyayayang kumain. Doon namin nakikilala ang isa’t-isa. 'Yong bonding, nabubuo doon,” said Caracut.
Asked if Nanas pays for their meals, Caracut said: "Hindi. Sasabihin niya, 'Boss, kain tayo, Boss."
This drew a boisterous laugh from Nanas.
Santillan, who was watching Nanas' interview outside the dugout together with Caracut, joined the banter.
“'Yan (Nanas) ang malakas magyaya. Tapos 'yung bayad [namin], may sukli pa siya,” Santillan quipped.