Hitting two birds with one stone
Jack Animam will do just that when she plays as a foreign student-athlete while taking up a master’s degree at Taiwanese school Shih Hsin University.
The interest between SHU and the five-time UAAP champion began last August during the closing stages of the NU Lady Bulldogs’ prep for UAAP Season 82.
“Nung August ko lang nalaman na interested sila sa akin,” said Animam, who came from a stint with Gilas Women’s in the Jones Cup a month prior. “Nung nagpunta sila dito, sinabi nung coach, ‘yun nga, kukunin nila ako.
“Tapos parang official na sinabi na din ng mga boss ko sa NU na kukunin nga ako ng SHU nung tapos na ‘yung last season ko. Parang nakapag-usap kami ng mga boss ko sa NU nung mga January, na ayun nga, gusto ko maglaro sa Taiwan.”
But Animam hasn’t just found an avenue to keep playing. The Marketing Management degree holder will also enter the school’s masters in business management course.
“Malaking bagay ‘yun kasi dream ko talaga magka-masters,” said the 21-year-old.
The UAAP Season 80 Most Valuable Player looks to grow both as a player and as a person in Taiwan.
There will be pressure on Animam, as SHU is the defending champion in the University Basketball Association. But as a winner herself, the two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist is looking to bring a lot of things to her new team as well.
“Taiwan is one of the best basketball countries, especially when it comes to Women’s Basketball, so ang taas din ng level of competition dun. Kailangan kong makipag-sabayan,” said the 6-foot-2 native of Bulacan.
“My personal goals are to improve more my basketball skills, learn Chinese, and I hope to bring my leadership from NU to SHU.”
