The Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas proudly named Jack Animam as its first-ever Women in Basketball Ambassador, Thursday afternoon.
With her stellar six-year collegiate career that started at National University and ended in Shih Hsin University, the Bulacan-native inspired many young Filipina basketball players not just to devote themselves to the sport, but to also set lofty goals for themselves.
Having an official designation with the SBP will give Animam a bigger platform to continue to act as an example for Filipina basketball players.
“Jack has been a blessing for women’s basketball here in the Philippines and we’re happy to have her front-and-center for the SBP’s Women in Basketball program,” said SBP President Al Panlilio.
“Aside from winning five straight championships in the UAAP, what really sets Jack apart was that she was always available when the country needed her services on the international stage may it be for 3×3 or five on five. We know how passionate she is about elevating Filipina basketball players by giving them a bigger stage and that’s why she’s perfect for the role.”
Animam went 96-0 in her collegiate career, only missing two games during that last six years.
The 6-foot-2 center’s collection has the UAAP Season 80 Most Valuable Player trophy, UAAP Season 81 Finals MVP plum, four All-UAAP team citations, an All-UBA team selection, UAAP Season 78 Rookie of the Year, two Southeast Asian Games gold medals, and the first-ever PSA Ms. Basketball award.
Animam’s tasks include increasing awareness of SBP’s Women in Charge via different activations; and encouraging women’s participation in the sport by continuing to serve as a role model and an inspiration.
FIBA’s Women in Basketball is a program that aims to develop and leverage elite competitors and coaches, increase gender diversity, and increase female fans.
The move to name Animam as SBP’s Women in Basketball Ambassador coincides with the federation’s continuous investment in women’s basketball, which also includes the launching of the web-show Women in Charge, hosted by Bea Daez, where Animam will be the first guest.
