Filipino Community Hosts Annual Tournament
By Robert Thomas
It is a weekend of hoops, family and friends as well as fun and competitive spirit as the Moose Jaw Filipino community is holding their annual Family Day Weekend Basketball Tournament.
The two day tournament, being held at Vanier Collegiate, features six men’s teams, 12 children under 12 and 22 participants in their teens.
Joannes Lenzo goes up for the two points
“They are all living, residing and working here in Moose Jaw. Usually what we have is an annual open invitational basketball tournament from all over south Saskatchewan but this year they are just from Moose Jaw,” tournament spokesperson Victor Morales said.
Morales said the tournament may have prizes but winning the tournament is in many ways secondary.
“It’s a family run affair. The number one sport in the Philippines is basketball. As you can see there is a lot of sport here in Canada but they always find some rims to shoot,” Morales said.
The annual tournament is a major event for the local Filipino community.
“It brings the whole family together. So you can see there is a lot of parents, little kids and all of the parents they work and on their break they come up and enjoy.”
Morales said it is an opportunity for not only the Filipino community in Moose Jaw to compete but it is a time for fellowship and just having fun.
“It is more of a family oriented thing. The friends gathered together with the whole family. As you can see it is all for family. From the little kids to the older ones.”
“We always mention to them it has to be fun but sometimes it becomes very competitive because everybody says ok I got to go and win this game. If someone gets a hard foul we help them out As we managed to put up a committee and said any excessive complaining it’s a warning for technical. The second time would be out. So that takes care of the fun itself,” Morales said.
One of the better things he sees about the annual affair it gets people out and doing something active and away from computer, tablet and phone screens. It gets people physically active and away from their smart phones, he said.
Asked about why basketball dominated Filipino sport he said it has to do with the Philippines climate and the cost.
“It’s because of the climate. It’s tropical and anybody can play outside all of the time…we have lots of shows in the Philippines and we always idolize those NBA players,” he said.
The closure of the YMCA has impacted the Filipino community’s basketball because in the past the Y charged only a couple of dollars and now it is a minimum of $10 per person to go and play basketball.
“It’s becoming a little bit more expensive.”
Morales said although basketball is the top sport in the Philippines there is a move for people's children who were born in Canada towards what are seen as more CanDian sports like ice hockey and football He said own two children play sports usually associated with Canada.
The continued longevity of the popularity of basketball in the local Filipino community is the majority were born abroad “and they don't want to try out any other sports,” he said.
“It’s more recreational to them but they still have that heart to that basketball.”
Morales said the turnout for the eighth annual tournament, the third with only Moose Jaw teams, has drawn out a good crowd.
“This is a really good crowd as there are more Filipino people coming out here (to live and work). So this is a goof turnout.”
Although the exact number of people who are of Filipino descent is unknown figures place it at between 1,000 and 1,250 people.
Sunday action sees playoffs starting at 7 am and running until about noon. The final game will be the men's finals.
The event finishes off with an awards night and potluck supper at 6 pm help at Church of Our Lady.
“It’s a potluck. All of the families will bring some food and it’s like a feast for everyone and then we share the whole food.”
The tournament is financed through a $400 per team entry fee – which covers the rental costs – with sponsors stepping forward and helping out with other tournament costs. Costs which include paying the three referees as well as the required liability insurance.
Sponsors include – Ed Sapp from Sunlife Financial in Regina, Matt Sera an immigration lawyer and real estate, Kim Evans mortgage specialist, ReMax out of Regina, Espresso Joes, DQ, Simpson Seeds, Nissan, Great Way Insurance, Moose Jaw Dental Clinic, Moose Jaw Funeral Homes, Moose Jaw Physical Rehab, Advanced Roofing, Murray GM, Houston's Pizza and Pizza Hut.