Basketball has been part of the Filipino culture for years. We've seen it grow. We've seen it flourish. And we're seen how the thrill was passed on to generations. Even though soccer is supposed to be the world's most popular sport, nothing beats basketball in every Filipinos hearts.
Take a look around and I bet you won't last a day without seeing a guy wearing a basketball jersey. You'll see men wearing NBA jerseys of Curry, LeBron, Jordan or PBA jerseys of Caguioa, Alapag or Jaworski. Most of the time, you'll see them wearing their favorite team's jersey whenever the team has a game that day. Some of them even have their own personalized jerseys to make them look as if they're part of the said team stamped in front of the jersey, or personalized for their own district basketball league. You'll see them by the sidewalks, going to the market, malls, anywhere.
Take a look around and you'll see customized basketball courts in every village, sometimes even portable on streets, with the board and ring attached on a coconut tree or just on a long wood and the flood of dirt or concrete. You'll see men and even women of all ages dribbling and doing their moves on slippers or on their bare feet. You'll see a group of 3 grow into 5 on 5 as friends and strangers come by and join. You can hear them yell their frustrations, curses and insults but in the end, a basketball will always be a friendship game.
The losers bets money, or treats the winners for soft drink or just an iced water to quench everyone's thirst after the game.
Take a look into classrooms and you'll see students make their own ring out of papers, bring a kid's toy basketball ring and board, or use trashcans, and throw crumpled papers as if they're shooting in a basketball game.
The culture of basketball ranges from any Filipino of any social status, may it be poor or rich, whichever religion. Whenever there is a game, you'll see families, friends or just a loner focused on their own televisions. A craze that bonds families together every evening. You'll hear them cheer, curse, and act like the coach, as if the players within the screen could hear them. Every time there is a game, every viewers become sports analysts.
Just yesterday, the Philippines' national team Gilas lost its opportunity to enter the Rio Olympics. We have seen how fans both cheer and criticize Gilas but in the end, every fan still looked forward on their game. When it comes to the national team, the whole country stands with them. Though they have failed, the team still gets the respect of the country with fans hoping for the best next time they go through an international competition again.
Basketball became more popular in the country after Gilas' journey through Jones' Cup, FIBA Asia and FIBA World.
But the Filipino basketball craze just doesn't focus on the national team but to its roots. The love for basketball is also being passed from generation to generation. Talk to your dads and grandfathers and they'll tell you stories about the Crispa-Toyota rivalry. They will talk about how Robert Jaworski has changed the thrill of the basketball scene and how the Ginebra Gin Kings become the most famous team in the Philippines.
The Ginebra Gin Kings which is known now as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel still remains to be the most popular and fan favorite team in the Philippines. Being known as Robert Jaworski's team, where he played as a playing coach, and known as the team who holds that "Never Say Die" attitude are just a few of those reasons why Filipinos love them.
If there is a home court advantage in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will have it everywhere. Even though the fan favorite team haven't got a taste of championship for more than five years already, you'll still see their avid fans filling up the venue, holding their banners and shouting "Ginebra! Ginebra!" in their seats. As a matter of fact, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel holds the record for having the most audience attendance every game.
This is how simple yet strong basketball is to every Filipino. It gives entertainment. It bonds people. It inspired people. It runs through their veins. It pulses like a fire in their hearts. It's a national craze that almost everyone can relate to.
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