Filipino Community Family Day Weekend Basketball Tourney Returns

After a three year absence, due to the COVID - 19 public health measures, the Filipino Community of Moose Jaw is set to restart their Family Day Basketball Tournament.

Running this Saturday February 18th and Sunday February 19th at Central Collegiate the tournament will feature an eight team men's division, two junior, two 12 and under teams and finally two little tykes teams.

Additionally there will be a parade of teams Saturday about noon.

For tournament organizer Victor Morales the tournament is all about building the local Filipino community.

“Holding the tournament is not just about sport. Being able to hold it again is important to help rebuild the Filipino Community,” Morales said.

The tournament is also all about promoting health and wellness in a relaxed environment.

Morales said the tournament is about basketball and the Filipino culture surrounding it.

Basketball is not just the Philippine's national sport but also the most popular.

“Everywhere in the Philippines wherever there is space there's a (basketball) hoop set up,” Morales said, adding basketball is played outside in literally all types of weather.

“We even play in the rain,” he said.

Although the teams and competitors in the skills competition will all be Filipino in origin the event is open to anyone who wants to check it out.

Admission is through a goodwill donation of a buck or two which isn’t going to be strictly enforced.

Men's division play starts at 7 am and runs until 8 pm on Saturday.

On Sunday the tournament runs from 7 am until noon and features the Little Tykes and 12 and Under games.

As part of the tournament Filipino food classics such as adobo, empanadas and BBQ chicken will be available for purchase.

Everyone is welcome to stop in and enjoy Filipino food.