Yellowknife Filipino basketball league makes a comeback, with help of 2 men's sacrifice

Dressed in contrasting blue and yellow jerseys, Erick Paz and Laurence Barbosacouldn't stop shuffling their feetand interrupting each other with occasional exclamations like "woo" and "oh my God," on Saturday night.

"We didn't expect this," said the 24-year-old Paz with a grin from ear to ear. He waspointing to fellow Filipino players practicing on the basketball court behind him, and the crowd that was trickling into Weledeh Catholic School gymnasium for the final championship game.

"Look at that."

Paz and Barbosahelped organize the 2019 Yellowknife Philippine Basketball League in Yellowknife.Five teams competed for the top prize of $700.

Theleague the largest men's basketball league in the N.W.T. wouldn't have been possible this year if it weren't for the two men.

We're really eager to start this league. That's why we quit our second jobs.- Erick Paz, Yellowknife Filipino basketball league organizer

It's been close to two years since the city's Filipino community last came together for the event,because of a hiatus last year.

According to Statistics Canada's 2016 census, the Filipino population is the largest visible minority in Yellowknife, with about 1,060 people.

"These young guys kept buggingmeand othercommissioners too, like, 'When are we going to start another league?'" recalled Eliezer Asombrado, one of the original founders of the league back in 2013.

When Paz and Barbosa realized there was nobody to run the league again, they made a sacrifice.

"They actually made it happen," said Asombrado.

"We're really eager to start this league. That's why we quit our second jobs," said Paz.

"Just for the love of the game," said the 20-year-oldBarbosa. "Secondly, for the community as well ... for them to feel the Filipino culture back again here in Yellowknife."

The guys said it was the team effort of the committee made up of old-timers like Asombrado, Jojo Mercado, Conrad Esteban and Vic Fontanillathat made the league successful in the end.

• FROM 2015 |Yellowknife Filipino basketball league thrives through community

The two men said basketball was ingrained in their Filipino way of life.

"When we moved here, we had like 'the hangover' of the game because in the Philippines, we used to play like every night," said Paz.

"Like every day," piped in Barbosa.

Highlights from the 2019 Yellowknife Filipino basketball league championships

6 years ago

Duration 1:18

Erick Paz and Laurence Barbosa describe how they're feeling at the championships for the Yellowknife Philippine Basketball League, on March 30, 2019.

Both Barbosa and Paz said as newcomers to Yellowknife,they played on the public courts around town. They soon found out about the league through fellow Filipino players.

"And then fell in love ever since,"Barbosa said.

Mom grateful for sports league

Donna Panelawas one of many moms in the stands, cheering on her children involved with the league.

"I'm pretty excited because two of my sons are playing," said Panela. Her third son helped keep score on the sidelines.

It's not [about] the winning. It's the camaraderie coming together of all the Filipinos here in town.- Rommel Silverio, Yellowknife city councillor

"I'm so glad my kids are very active and very sportive," she said, adding thatit's nice to see her sons involved in sports rather than being exposed to"bad habits."

Panela said as the Filipino community is getting larger in the city, the league is one of the only times everyone gets together and meets new community members.

"I'm really pumped up because this has been a long-awaited game," said Coun. Rommel Silverio, who's Filipino."It's part of our culture to play basketball."

Silveriosaid he's been a supporter of the league since its inception, but since becoming a citycouncillor, he's able toprovide the league with more financial support with thestipends he earns.

"It's not [about] the winning. It's the camaraderie coming together of all the Filipinos here in town."

The Yellow Saints defeated the Blue Eagles in the third place game 7976, taking the second runner-up title.

The White Titans took the championship trophy after defeating the Red Crusaders 6350 later that evening.

Silverio said each team got a cash prize this year, starting with $700 for the champions, $500 for silver, $400 for bronze. The fourth place team got $300 and $200 went to the last team.

The championships ended with a traditional potluck at the gym.

After thanking everyone who supported them along the way, Barbosaand Paz hinted at the league's fatein 2020.

"I'm hoping the next league would be as successful as this, or much better," said Paz.

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