In one of the few tournaments dedicated to showcase the future of Filipina basketball, the Live Learn Hoops Brgy. QC team did not just show up, they showed heart, hustle, and played with a mission.
Formed through the efforts of Barangay Sacred Heart Captain Camille Malig and Head Coach Noel Binalla, the team was a selection of promising young athletes, most of whom are varsity players from Quezon City High School. The team represented Live Learn Hoops (LLH), a grassroots sports camp dedicated to promoting basketball among girls.
“Because we’re running a camp, which is the LLH, we wanted to form a team that would help promote girls’ basketball. Captain Camille of Barangay Sacred Heart said it would be better if she taps us for this tournament so that the players could get to know each other better,” Binalla shared.
Despite the short preparation, only a week before the tournament with just two to three days of actual training, the team pushed through.
“We struggled with the chemistry, so we just switched to defense,” the coach admitted. “Some of them came from volleyball or even individual sports like athletics and only recently shifted to basketball.”
For Binalla, the tournament was more than just about wins and losses. It was about representation, opportunity, and laying the groundwork for the future.
“We really want to help promote girls’ basketball because we see potential. But we have to focus on the fundamentals [like] dribbling, passing, shooting because it’s not very common for girls to play basketball.”
The team’s biggest challenge? Finding girls who are even willing to try the sport.
“It’s really hard to recruit girls. Most of them play volleyball, but as a youth sports advocate, I really want to engage their love for sports, so I promote multi-sport involvement,” he emphasized. “We try to condition them properly to avoid injuries and focus on developing their skills.”
Resource constraints also posed a hurdle.
“We don’t even have a court. The rental fees are too expensive, so we asked the principal of a nearby school if we could train there, even just before Christmas.”
Despite the odds, Binalla saw great promise in the girls.
“Throughout the tournament, I saw their growth. I saw their hustle. Two of our players are even trying out for senior high and private schools.”
But beyond the court, the tournament became a life-changing experience for the young athletes.
“I told them, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Before, we didn’t have this kind of exposure. That’s why we remind them [to] show the hard work. There might be scouts watching,” Binalla said. “They appreciated it. This was our first time joining a free invitational tournament. Even the jerseys were provided. We didn’t have to spend anything.”
True to its mission of illuminating the values of sports to the youth, the Akari U16 Girls’ Basketball Invitational provided more than just a venue to play. It gave young girls a chance to grow, be seen, and realize their athletic potential. In a sport where female representation remains limited, tournaments like this are a rare yet essential platform for aspiring athletes.
For team captain Princess Cunanan, the experience was eye-opening and empowering.
“Maganda po kasi first time ko lang nakalaro yung mga private schools eh, tsaka po puro lalaki ‘yung mga nakakalaro ko. Hindi puro babae,” she shared. “Maganda rin kasi nakakalaro ako sa iba’t ibang court tsaka nadadala ko ‘yung apilyedo ko kung saan-saan, tsaka sa mga kakampi, may mga tiwala sila sa isa’t isa.”
She also spoke about the growth she experienced as a player during the tournament.
“Natutunan ko kasi [kung paano] lumakas ‘yung loob ‘ko [dahil] sa coach ‘ko, tsaka may tiwala sila sa akin kahit sablay-sablay ako. Natutunan ‘ko rin ‘yung mga turo nila sa depensa.”
“Nag-improve ‘yung layup tsaka ‘yung dribble ko tsaka ‘yung pagiging point guard. Lalo po akong natuto sa point guard kasi shooting guard laro ko talaga.”
Now, as the program continues to grow, Binalla remains firm in their mission.
“We want to help in the grassroots program of girls’ basketball. That’s why LLH also has a program specifically for girls.”
With passionate advocates at the helm and talented players rising through the ranks, the future of girls’ basketball in Quezon City is in good hands.
