The Philippine Sports Commission and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Sunday praised the Fil-Chinese Athletic Association Inc. for staging its basketball tournament, calling it a way to promote fitness, camaraderie, and community spirit.
“Staying fit and playing together among friends in the community are some of the programs the PSC wants to develop and harness,” PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio said during the official opening of the tournament, presented by Smart Sports and Tanduay Athletics at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City.
“For many Filipinos — and I know for a fact for our Fil-Chinese brothers and sisters — health is wealth. Through basketball, a sport we truly enjoy, we can live a happy life.”
Gregorio also expressed eagerness to work with the Fil-Chinese community to develop future Olympic hopefuls.
“I am here to reach out, I am here to solicit your support,” he said.
SBP Executive Director Erika Dy, who is also of Filipino-Chinese descent, echoed the praise for the league.
“We are proud to stand with organizations like yours that continue to grow the game and keep our basketball culture alive. At SBP, much of our work focuses on national teams, grassroots development, and professional values. But it is equally important for us to see basketball alive and well beyond each group and professional competition,” Dy said.
“When alumni come back to the court, when former classmates become teammates again, and when old school rivalries are renewed in a spirit of friendship, it tells us something powerful: the love for the game does not end at graduation. It stays with you for life. Leagues like this strengthen communities. They create space for healthy competition, fellowship, and pride in where we come from. They also remind the younger generation that basketball is not only about reaching the highest level. It is about participation, connection, and shared experience. To all the players who will compete this season, thank you for making the commitment to be here.”
Senator Bong Go, a basketball enthusiast himself, also expressed support for the event. He vowed to back any group that seeks to elevate Philippine sports and inspire the youth to embrace athletics not only as a hobby but as a path to excellence.
Welcomed by league chairman Wilbert Loa, William Castro, Oliver Choa, Arvin Sy, and Alvin Teng, Go said he hopes to play in the third edition of the tournament.
Also present were Andrew Teh of SBP, Epok Quimpo of Smart Sports and Jean Alabanza of Tanduay.
Meanwhile, Hope Christian High School-Premium Feeds and Xavier School-McDavid x Windsor secured their second straight wins in the tournament, which is also supported by Genius Hardware, Ultraforce Tires, Cellboy, PGFlex Linoleum, Boysen, Lamtex Pipes, Jiang Nan, Hangry Pares, Powerhouse Tools, L.F. Fireworks, BYD Valenzuela, BAIC, Jetour, Oedo, 1118 Autospa, and TCL.
Led by Wilson Fenix and Howard Evangelista, Hope Christian outlasted Chiang Kai Shek College, 66-54. Meanwhile, Kyles Lao powered Xavier to an 87-49 drubbing of Uno High-Golden Peters, exploding for 24 points.
Grace Christian College-Alusign 3M Stickers also notched its second win by downing Philippine Cultural College-Alva Lighting, 82-73.
Other supporters of the event included Abby’s Paws n’ Play, Sha Tin Courtyard, S-Ks Tools, MEC, Shell Granda, Oriental Palace, LP Support, Senco Link, Spalding, Summit Mineral Water, Sincerity Café, PSACC, Traverse, Emerson Industrial Supply, and Shell Granada.
