What do most people know about Rain or Shine's Lanky Larry? The package seems plain. No muscles. Just arms that never end. No flamboyance. Just a player built together with intangibles. What makes him indispensable? It's not what fans see. It's what most don't see. The tip-ins, tapiks, block-outs and quality time spent doing thankless chores.

"Larry's just the type of player who'll get the job done," teammate Doug Kramer says. "He's definitely a smart player who knows how to play basketball in the simplest way."

Well said Doug. But it's still too verbose for Larry's taste. Here's how Larry Rodriguez describes the Larry Rodriguez way of playing efficiently: "Timing-timing lang."

Rodriguez, you see, is sneakingly good. He tallies 16 points (7/13 FG) and seven rebounds to help Rain or Shine stay undefeated (3-0) but it will probably go unnoticed. What can he do? He doesn't have Hollywood charm. But he's terrific in a goofy way. Think about how his arms flap when he runs, how his 40-pound body levitates during fast-breaks.

Yet Rodriguez starts in two out of three games (impressive since he plays for Yeng Guiao, a coach who changes starting line-ups as often as Lady Gaga changes clothes). Larry is the broccoli in Beef and Brocolli; kasi ang laging natatandaan yung beef, hindi yung broccoli. So he ransacks opponents by scoring crucial put-backs, blocking shots or sinking free throws without being noticed. Remember Emilio the Butler in Adam Sandler's movie Mr. Deeds? That's Rodriguez. He's very, very sneaky.

"Ang role ko sa team, ituloy lang yung flow ng game," Rodriguez shares. Just go with the flow. Stay clear from driving lanes reserved for Hassan Adams or Gabe Norwood. Stay around the basket for possible rebounds. Stay close to opposing big men. Stay away from doing too much. In a sense, to always stay anonymous.

Sounds perfect for a player who doesn't have a single tattoo, wear arm sleeves or play in a different pair of shoes per half. Rodriguez grew up in Tondo, Manila. He still lives there. "Nakasanayan na," he says. And all it takes for him to prepare for primetime television is 80 pesos. That's the cost of one haircut at Leonixx, the friendly neighborhood parlor. No plush salons, no mohawks for Larry. Swagger isn't for him. His confidence comes from a different place. Simple lang. Trabaho lang.

"Larry's an underrated player that deserves recognition," Kramer adds. "We're glad he's on our team."

Like most players, Rodriguez idolized Michael Jordan. So I ask, "May nakuha ka ba sa laro ni Jordan na nagagamit mo ngayon?"

Rodriguez cheerfully answers, "Wala."

For Rain or Shine's invisible star, a key ingredient in his team's recipe for success, to answer "nothing" actually says everything.

Mico Halili, GMA News TV