After flying their home flag during a poignant opening ceremony, which included the country’s national anthem and a prayer, the teams went head-to-head across six games.
Hospitality served up the moves, while finance banked the points, and supporting wives, children and friends brought spirit and a feast to St Sampson High School. Bong Petallar, vice-president of the Filipino Community in Guernsey, said that sport was the perfect team builder, uniting the neighbours in their home away from home.
‘The inspiration was to spread camaraderie and positivity within the work industries and to the wider community,’ he said.
‘Basketball, in particular, is such a big thing in our country, next to boxing and Miss Universe. It can be political – people build up their personalities and reputations by how well they play, and then different towns recruit to get those players.
‘The opening ceremony was really heart-warming. Reminding everyone that this is not just about winning and losing, but building sportsmanship and unity outside the teams, as a whole. To see the kids looking up to their parents – these are not just players, they each represent something more.’
The event was arranged back in March and some of the players leant on families in the Philippines who provided them with kit for the event.
An award for best in uniform was presented at the closing ceremony, along with one for Most Valuable Player and Champion of the Year.
The community hopes the tournament will become an annual event, that will one day include Guernsey colleagues.
‘Our main purpose is to spread positivity across a wide range of generations, build that resilience within our community and integrate with the Guernsey community,’ Mr Petallar added.
You need to be logged in to comment.