Before entering showbiz, Xian Lim planned to pursue basketball dream in the Philippines

Xian Lim is now a successful actor and host, but did you know that he initially planned to pursue a basketball career in the Philippines?

In an episode of "Updated With Nelson Canlas," Xian said he wanted to play professional hoops after feeling like something was missing in his life.

At that time, he was still living in the United States with his mom and studying psychology. But he decided to have a leap of faith and move to Manila.

"Sa dinami-dami ng options 'yon ang naisip ko. [Despite the many options, that's what I thought of.] The only way to play pro, the biggest chance I have, was to go to the Philippines and play basketball," he said.

Xian began playing basketball when he was 14 years old. He used it as an outlet after getting bullied when he was in middle school, and it helped him find a place among his peers.

When he was in college, he began to think about aiming for something more. In just one month after making up his mind, he and his mom moved to the Philippines for a new life.

Xian enrolled at the University of the East, whose basketball program counts James Yap and Paul Lee among its alumni. He was surprised to learn, however, that he had to serve two years of residency before he can play at the UAAP.

"Sabi nila hintay ka lang, training ka lang ng two years then maybe makakapasok ka," he said. "Sabi ko hindi ko kaya, ano ba ang puwede kong gawin while waiting doon sa two years na 'yon?"

("They told me to wait, just train for two years then maybe I can get in. I said I can't do it, what can I do while waiting out those two years?")

That was when Xian dabbled into show business, as his mom used to model in the Philippines and still had contacts in the industry.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Xian never wore UE's red and white jersey, but he eventually became a household name in the Philippines.

The actor recently starred with Glaiza de Castro in romantic comedy series "False Positive."

—MGP, GMA News