Ex-PBA cager Reyes: Running is my hobby

If basketball is Eric Reyes' life, then running is his hobby. Reyes, a former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) cager, said in an interview Saturday in the ING 20-A Race To Build 20 Homes that he didn't use to like running. "In basketball it was always sprint running, so in my career as a basketball player, I never enjoyed running," said Reyes after crossing the finish line of the 20-kilometer race organized to raise money for a Habitat for Humanity project in Calauan, Laguna. At least he didn't until four years ago when he took up jogging to keep himself in shape. "Basketball is still my prime sport, but I am now enjoying long-distance running," "I want to conserve my knee so I am not pushing myself as hard as possible in running," said Reyes, who is one of the hosts of GMANews.TV's webshow For The Win. "It is basically a part of my routine. And I don't run to race but to enjoy it, like today." Reyes said that he has plans of running a full marathon in the future, but has yet to decide when. "Of course I'll try a full marathon. But it would still be in the future." "As of now, all I want from running is to keep myself in shape. But I will try the full marathon sometime." Meanwhile, Col. Paul Santos of the Philippine Army won the lottery for the entry to the ING-New York City Marathon next year. He received an all-expenses paid trip to New York for next year's NYC Marathon. Santos, a full colonel who has served in the military for 33 years, got an early birthday and retirement gift after his 2660 bib was called as the lottery winner. "I suppose this is an early birthday gift," said Santos, who will turn 54 on December 30. Military officers are mandated to resign at the age of 54. Santos said that he does not usually join organized races, but runs to keep himself fit for his job in the military. "I don't usually join races like this, but I run once or twice a week. Kailangan, dahil nasa military ako at tumatanda na rin tayo, kayat kailangan ko ito," said Santos. – Perry Legaspi/JVP/KY, GMANews.TV