Guam hoops exchange

Two weeks ago, this writer learned of the vast and frequent exchange of sports talent between the Philippines and China, not limited to the big cities we’re familiar with like Shanghai and Beijing. Many of our most prominent sports personalities make a healthy living teaching, competing and doing exhibitions in the Middle Kingdom.

But China is far from being the only foreign nation Filipinos have been “invading” through sports. The island of Guam is fast becoming a very welcoming site for very young Filipinos to share their passion for the game of basketball. And with youngsters leading the way, adults aren’t far behind. In fact, some retired PBA players have been planning coaching clinics in the US territory for years. But, believe it or not, the biggest exchange of talent between the two countries comes in the form of grade school and high school ballers. For the past three years, male and female basketball players from Guam have been flying to the Philippines to learn new skills in basketball through the Ateneo Basketball School (ABS).

“This is a program that we’re very happy with, because we get to help our Filipino brothers abroad,” explains Ricky Dandan, who heads the ABS. “Through the school athletics department, we’re able to share our knowledge with young Filipinos who also love the game overseas.”

Last year, three teams of Guam students played a series of tune-up matches against Ateneo, La Salle, Xavier and other strong high school teams. Governor Felix Camacho has been very supportive of the program, and helped the friendly games become a two-way street. The governor’s son is also a grade school player.

“Last year, I was talking with Jay Salvador (of Ateneo Basketball School), recalls Elsa Uloa, a journalist for the Pacific Daily News and tournament organizer in Guam. “The clamor from more and more of the parents was to bring Filipino players there. It became a really big thing.”

Two weeks ago, two teams of players 12 years old and below and 10 years old and below visited the island paradise for the first time, many accompanied by their parents. It was a great opportunity for the families to bond together.

“It was a very exciting time for everyone,” reveals high school coach Jay Salvador, who helped organize the trip. “For many of the kids, it was their first time to travel abroad. The local government of Guam was very warm and everyone was very well-received there.”

Through the governor’s office, specifically Ron Ravela, the visiting players and their parents easily got their travel requirements and made the voyage with ease. Once there, they became darlings of their countrymen living in Guam, Guamanians and Chamorro as well.

“It became a really big thing,” says Uloa. “The media really picked up on it, covering the games every day. The kids were also on TV almost every day while they were playing.”

Now, plans are afoot for a longer tournament, perhaps partly to be played in the Philippines and partly in Guam. The impact of playing the game, and the joy the children got out of it has changed their lives, and undeniably broadened their perspective of the world.