On and off the court: Basketball in the hearts of the Filipino people

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos have embraced basketball unlike any other sport. Basketball courts can be found in virtually every barangay, even if it’s just a makeshift half court on a dusty farm road. On any given day you might find young kids in flip flops practicing their lay-ups and dunks, and fans of all stripes supporting their teams. 

Basketball has always been a unifying factor for Filipinos and no matter what political headline is making the news, basketball is always just as important. 

“The joke is – in the Philippines, you’d talk politics or basketball,” says Purefoods Star Hotshots coach Tim Cone.

Through the years

The PBA is the second oldest professional basketball league, the NBA being the first. And for over 40 years, its most loyal supporter, San Miguel, has become an icon. Playing for San Miguel earns you fans from all over the country. But more than just being one of the league’s pioneers, one important role is to bring Filipinos together and give them something to be proud of.

“It’s a kind of game that has a lot of action, a lot of drama and it’s almost like watching a movie everyday,” Coach Tim says. And this is just one of the reasons why basketball has become a national sport and Filipino tradition. – Rappler.com