Former ‘basketball dad’ speaks out

MY column on girls’ basketball got a couple of interesting reactions from the readers. One is from a dad whose daughter used to play for USC, and the other from a group who, in their own way, is trying to keep the flame of women’s basketball alive.

Jessamine “Saki” delos Reyes was one of the most recognized women’s basketball player in Cebu when it was still part of Cesafi. I remember seeing her pictures regularly in the papers.

Elro, Saki’s father shares my belief that a growing girls basketball scene would benefit the players.

“Girls basketball ceased in 2008, in a time when my daughter graduated from USC, enjoying a full scholarship since fourth year high school. This had helped us a lot financially, besides her enjoyment in playing for the school,” Elro wrote.

How much is one year’s worth of college education at a major instutition like USC these days? Wouldn’t a full athletic scholarship be a huge help? Because I think, this is where girls basketball could be headed again.

It was part of the Cesafi calendar of events, and it could be again.

What is needed, of course, is for schools to have enough players to form a competitive team. It’s years away from that, but to return to the college scene, there must be regular girls tournaments in Cebu and the CYBL Girls 17-Under is a step in the right direction.

Elro wrote that he’s willing to help CYBL, as a way of giving back for what their family have enjoyed since his daughter began shooting hoops.

After graduation, Saki, who also got offers from Manila schools but chose USC, got to play for the national team.

“After graduation she was picked up to play for the Philippine Women’s Basketball League in Manila for Nutri Asia and eventually was hired to play for the Philippine Team until 2010. She played for the Fiba Asia in India in 2009 and was able to play in China and Australia before quitting in 2010 to pursue her career,” he said.

Right now, Saki, the second Cebuana to play for the national team, is also helping women’s basketball tournaments in Mandaue City.

“I am very much delighted that Girl’s Basketball is already part of the CYBL and I am fully supporting this endeavor and should you need my/our services to keep this move running, contact me,” he said.

What Saki and her dad Elro enjoyed a few years ago, could be the same thing future basketball dads could enjoy, once girls basketball in Cebu kicks off.

Of course, it’s not only about the girls and their potential to have a college degree. Basketball, like all sports, is for all ages and I just found out that there’s a women’s basketball club in Cebu, with some 70 members.

Maristella Ouano wrote, “We have a women’s basketball club (WBC) of former/ ex varsities. Some are professionals in their own fields and some are still students. We have practice every Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We also have some tournaments and some teams come from as far as Bohol and Dumaguete.”

I think the future is bright for girls basketball and now is the right time to “reintroduce” the sport in the mainstream.