Despite holding a pristine 7-0 record in the 2020-21 University Basketball Alliance season, Jack Animam and Shih Hsin University will not have a holiday break.
“May training kami, mag-Christmas kami sa court,” the 22-year-old bared to So She Did! presented by SMART Sports.
Yes, the native of Malolos, Bulacan will not spend Christmas with her mom Erlinda this year.
This is actually the first time Animam will not spend the holidays with her family. But this is the sacrifice she had to make to achieve her dreams.
“Siyempre nami-miss ko yung pasko sa Pilipinas, yung family ko syempre, mga pagkain di ba? Pero tiis.”
Christmas though is not as big of a celebration in Taiwan compared to here.
Still, the team made sure to have the Christmas spirit by holding an exchange gift.
Despite the predicament she is in, the UAAP Season 80 Most Valuable Player has no regrets.
“Definitely I would advise this to our athletes. like If they really wanna pursue basketball, that’s their passion, if they really wanna experience things ‘di ba? Like me, why not go for it?” said Animam, who is averaging 15.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game.
“This is an opportunity and also a learning experience so sobrang laking bagay din nito and exposure.”
Besides improving her game, her move to Taiwan is also teaching her a lot in life.
“May nag-interview sa akin nung first game namin na feeling ko daw ba two different worlds yung Philippines at Taiwan? So sabi ko, ‘Oo, parang napunta ako sa ibang mundo.’ Being in the house na nasa bahay ka lang, family mo lang nakikita mo and some friends and then biglang nag-shift ka sa country na you can do everything without restrictions — na hindi mo kailangan matakot na baka paglabas ko ganito,” shared the product of National University.
“Sobrang iba talaga… Like mind-blowing.”
