Vice Ganda warms up to popular Azkal player via Twitter

By NEIL RAMOS - Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Angel Locsin is not the only one keen for an Azkal. Seemingly, popular TV host and comedian Vice Ganda wants one too, in the person of Azkal goalie Neil Etheridge. And the former wants the whole of Twitter-verse to know about it, too.

Vice Ganda made his pursuit of the football hunk obvious with a series of Tweets, June 10 –the day he saw Etheridge at ABS-CBN.

Apparently, Etheridge as with other members of the popular football team who were within the premises of the network giant for a send-off party Friday, just before they leave for Germany for a two-week training as part of their preparations for the June 29 and July 3 World Cup Qualifiers home and away matches against Sri Lanka.

Vice Ganda, who was also at the venue preparing for “Showtime,” saw the group and immediately zeroed in on Etheridge. None too soon, he made contact.

In a tweet he sent to @Neil38Etheridge he said, “hey! ya I saw you on stage. If you’re still here in ABS come pass by our Showtime studio!”

It wasn't known if the two had met prior but Etheridge was casual as he was polite in his reply to @vicegandako.

“I will try find out where that is... I will try [to] pass by; I'm still here at another event... What time will you be there till?”

Vice Ganda quickly tweeted with, “show will start later than usual because of the nba finals so we'll most probably be here till 1ish. Just let me know!”

The move was a success.

Etheridge and his Azkal’s teammates eventually dropped in at the “Showtime” set to squeals and shrieks courtesy of studio audiences, who made as if they're addressing the Chippendales, screaming for the group to take off their shirts but to no avail.

Vice Ganda, meanwhile, was mercilessly teased to no-end by “Showtime” co-hosts Kim Atienza, Vhong Navarro and Anne Curtis. He didn't mind. He looked happy enough. But he made no further overtures on air.

Etheridge was happy as well. The “Showtime” appearance made him a trending topic on Twitter — which amused the Filipino-British football player, going on to thank those who made it happen.

Still via Twitter he said, “Thank you for making me trend.. Much love to you all... Next time maybe I will take it off haha!”

As everyone awaits for a possible showbiz "love story" to evolve between the two, Vice Ganda is having – of all things – a fit of sorts, this courtesy of “Showtime” guest judge, Ryan Bang.

Only a few hours ago he tweeted @ryanbangko, “YOU DON'T INTRUDE WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S ACCOUNT! I HATE YOU!!!”

Earlier, he minced no words scolding the latter via the same platform.

“BAD @ryanbangko! Pinakialaman yung Ipad ko at nagpost sa FanPage ko ng I love my son Ryan Bang forever! Bad bad bad!”