Jack Animam has been playing her best basketball in Taiwan.
Despite being there for just less than a year, the National University product has been posting stellar numbers of 15.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 2.0 blocks per contest.
And with Shih Hsin University going 11-0 heading into the playoffs, it’s not impossible that Animam will be named as the University Basketball Alliance’s Most Valuable Player.
But for the 22-year-old, she said that winning the MVP plum is not her goal.
“Actually going here wala sa isip ko yung individual awards na gusto ko mag MVP. Wala talaga yun sa isip ko as in. Ang nasa isip ko lang going here ever since kung pupunta ako dito, gusto ko matuto mag-Chinese.
“Siyempre yung game ko gusto ko pa mag-improve, gusto ko pa mag-explore, gusto ko ma-experience paano yung laro dito sa Taiwan knowing that Taiwan is one of the best teams in Asia so that’s the only thing in my mind,” the native of Malolos, Bulacan told So She Did! powered by SMART.
Seamless has been the transition for Animam from NU to SHU.
According to the former UAAP Most Valuable Player, it’s because the playstyle of the Lady Bulldogs and Tigers are similar.
“We love to run.
“I mean kung yung paano kami sa NU — like the way we play in NU — I can see the same in SHU team like sa NU kumpleto lahat shooting outside, inside, defense, same lang din dito sa SHU. Some of our plays sa NU similar lang din medyo parehas dito kaya I guess medyo nakukuha ko agad yung mga plays kasi parang oh play namin ito sa NU so medyo familiar ako,” she explained.
Starting February 18, Animam will be playing her final collegiate games in a six-team semifinals. Also playing are Chinese Cultural University, Fo Guang University, National Taiwan Normal University, National Taiwan University of Sport, and University of Taipei.
For Animam, the only thing much sweeter is for her to continue what she is doing and just improve.
“SHU being the champion last year I told myself na okay gusto ko rin mag champion with them, na kasama ako, na masasabi kong I was part of that champion team. Yun yung nasa isip ko ever since, hindi ko naisip na mag MVP,” said Animam, who is 89-0 in her collegiate career.
“I just really wanna play and explore my game. Things I’m lacking and really get that championship.”
