What is it With Filipinos, Basketball, and Boxing?
What is it with Filipinos, basketball, and boxing? I was taken aback when one foreigner asked this question. Apparently in the eyes of the world, basketball and boxing are major unifying forces among Filipinos. The fact that these two games have the capacity to freeze time and literally capture an audience speaks much of the power that they exert on Filipinos. Whether rooting for Manny Pacquiao or the Ginebra Basketball Team, or even waiting for an international basketball superstar visiting the country, Filipino basketball and boxing fans are raring to show their support by their presence, cheers, and adulation.
Kobe Bryant fans eagerly awaiting for his arrival
Unexpected Sports for Filipinos
Basketball and boxing are the two most popular sports in the Philippines. However, these are two highly unexpected sports for Filipinos because of the main requirement for each- height and built, respectively. In basketball, height is definitely might while solid built is especially suitable for boxers. These are two attributes which Filipinos are not especially known for. Filipinos however, took to these two sports like duck to water from the moment they were introduced by the Americans.
Filipinos’ Love Affair with Basketball
A jam-packed basketball game | Image Credit: fhm.com.ph
Basketball remains to be the leading sports in the Philippines. One needs only to see the many improvised and custom-made basketball courts in the streets of every town, city, and province to realize that playing basketball is very much a part of Filipino way of life.
The Filipinos’ disadvantage in height is more than made up for by swiftness and sports strategies. In the Philippine basketball scene, the most popular teams are those with identified bitter rivals such as Ateneo and La Salle at the university level, and Crispa and Toyota , the most popular professional basketball teams a few decades back. At least two Toyota-identified players, Francis Arnaiz, and Robert Jaworski went on to make the Ginebra team a household name in basketball. Even today, Barangay Ginebra continues to provide exciting games against many worthy opponents, establishing almost a cult-like following through time.
Boxing and the Vast Possibilities It Offers to Filipinos
Boxing fans transfixed with a Pacquiao fight | Image Credit: reuters
If a boxing match can hold the Filipino audience transfixed for at least a couple of hours and reduce the crime rate to zero during the fight itself, then we know just how much following a boxer enjoys. This was quite true with the case of Manny Pacquiao. However, the Philippines has produced its fair share of boxing wonders such as Pancho Villa, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Ceferino Garcia, and of course, Pacquiao.
Boxing is where Filipinos have exhibited the greatest potentials for an Olympic medal. It is certainly a long way from the original “Suntukan” or bare-hand fighting which was supposed to have existed even before the arrival of the Spaniards and the Americans. Filipino boxers are included among the most respected in the industry.
The Special Bond Between Filipinos, Basketball, and Boxing
The Filipinos’ preoccupation with basketball and boxing extends overseas. A classic proof of this is our eagerness in following NBA and the Heavyweight Division Matches. The bond that exists between Filipinos, basketball, and boxing is not expected to fade as Filipinos become more involved in following each and every development in these two sports whether in the local or international scene.
My Say
The great interest and stake of Filipinos in basketball and boxing cannot be denied. We may fight over supporting different players and boxers in the local scene but we always manage to get a united front once one of our own faces an international challenge. The bond between and among Filipinos, basketball, and boxing might just be one of the few facts that does not need any reason to exist.
There is no clear and specific reason why Filipinos love basketball and boxing. To me however, it is probably the fact that Filipinos have proven that we can be extraordinarily good at it in spite of the limitations. More like proving to the world that there is no limit to what Filipinos can achieve if we put our hearts into it.
Marie Michel
Mention also the get-togethers of groups of friends and their families to watch Pacqiuao on a pay-per-view kind of setup. It has become bbq parties as well. 🙂 I guess every nation has that kind of sport that make them cheer and sends their voices rising 🙂 Football is to many countries in Europe the same, but, as you say, I am a Filipino so basketball will always be my first love…
Teresa Martinez
You’re absolutely right about this. Well more excuses to get together with family and friends.
jared's mum
i am not really so sure but since time immemorial, Filipinos have been fond of those two sports, maybe because they are something where Filipinos excel + give honor to our country. These sporting events remind me so much of my father who would patiently wait for the super late live telecast of Pacman’s fights + who would always be glued on the telly whenever his favorite team, Alaska, plays. I grew up seeing him watch this sports so the habit stuck. am just a little squeamish about boxing bouts + would rather skip them especially when i am watching with my little man who tends to copy everything he sees on the telly 🙂
Teresa Martinez
I’m not really fond of these sports but once I start watching I can’t help but watch them to the finish.
Jam
hahaha! im guilty with the love of watching basketball games! i also hope that football would bring a noise here in the Philippines. I mean, giving same support with the boxing and basketball games.
Teresa Martinez
Once sports-minded Filipinos find out they can be good at it, maybe football will have its chance.
lencilicious
We, Filipinos can definitely make a great whatever field we choose. I am truly proud of our talented players locally and abroad.
Teresa Martinez
I am too.
Peachy
Honestly, I am not a fan of both sports..LOL! I am not into sports but I agree that these two unify Pinoys
Teresa Martinez
I cannot consider myself a fan as well but I do watch the interesting games and bouts.
jem alvarado
I think Filipinos are fond of basketball and boxing because of the influence of the early years just what Franc commented. Even in the early years, Filipinos are very passionate in winning these sport.
Teresa Martinez
Yes, it seems Filipinos’ passion for these two parts go way back.
Mommy Pehpot
the love for boxing, I think, we got it from the Spaniards (like sabong) and maybe basketball from the Americans
Teresa Martinez
Both sports were apparently introduced to us Filipinos by Americans although it is possible that a similar sport may have had some influence from the Spanish.
rochkirstin
Yeah I also cannot understand why Filipinos are too fond of these sports. Anyway, these activities bond them together more and we unite as a nation through games.
Gil Camporazo
What is with Filipinos? This requires how Filipinos regarded the crowd-gathering sports like basketball and boxing. If we trace this back 41 years ago, I remember when I was in my 3rd high school then, basket as we shorten it from basketball really drew a big crowd. There were ace basketball players at the time. I don’t know if I remember it right, like Caloy Loyzaga. And in the boxing, it was flash Elorde.
Teresa Martinez
I noticed the crowd-gathering effect of basketball and boxing anywhere. Would you know of any specific reason why this is especially so in the Philippines?
Franc Ramon
I think the love of basketball came from the early years that Philippines was the dominant force in the region in the earlier years. It was then passed on to this generations.
Teresa Martinez
That could be one reason. It is so easy to fall in love with something one is really good at. Thanks for your insight.