BIG BALL

FORGING CHARACTER AND BROTHERHOOD ON THE COURT.

By: Atty. Clarence Tiu

The biggest league in JCI Manila is set to become bigger. Doubling down on the most-awaited and most-participated sporting event of the year, the committee behind this year’s JCI Manila Basketball League is taking the game to the next level.

“WE WANT TO FORGE DEEP AND LASTING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH THE GAME WE ALL LOVE. WE HAVE INVESTED A LOT OF EFFORTS IN THE JCI MANILA BASKETBALL LEAGUE, ALL GUIDED BY THE BELIEF THAT A STRONGER BROTHERHOOD IS THE CORE OF A GREAT CHAPTER.”

– Overall Sports Commissioner Cyril Manalo.

New members should know that the JCI Manila Basketball League is an annual project under the Membership Development Directorate. As one of the chapter’s most important projects for the membership, the league intends to build not only camaraderie amongst participating members, but it also aims to instill character in an individual member. As a leadership development organization, one of the main aims of JCI Manila is to develop people to become their better selves. In basketball, one learns the virtues of excellence, diligence, patience, and discipline, as well as the skills of communication, teamwork, and strategy.

Everyone knows that basketball leagues are common in the Philippines, a nation who loves the game. What sets the JCI Manila Basketball League apart, however, is the level of seriousness and playing experience that has been invested throughout the years. One will find a world-class playing experience – complete with state of the art facilities, topnotch game o cials, comprehensive game statistics, stunning photos, curated video highlights, and player citations such as game and season awards - as if you are playing in the professional ranks. Likewise, it is not uncommon for team owners to hire professional head coaches, physical therapists, and engage in weekly practices with the team to prepare for each game. Basketball is serious in JCI Manila. That’s what makes it popular.

Over the years, the league has grown so much. Last year, the league had 10 teams in the Main League, 7 teams in the D-League, with a total of 267 members who participated. That’s almost half of the entire membership.

Teams are formed via members who volunteer as team owners or are invited by the JCI Manila Basketball Committee to complete the desired number of teams. Players get selected to teams through drafting. A draft order is created where team owners and managers will select players and complete their roster during “Draft Night”. This year, the team owners meeting is set to take place on March 13, 2023, while the draft will be held on March 14, 2023. This is a prelude to the the opening ceremonies on April 2, 2023, followed by the games which is expected to run from April to September of the year. By tradition, the champions, runners-up, and individual awardees will then be recognized in an event called the “Awards Night” – a night of celebration of food & drinks, where the awardees come up on stage and receive their medals, plaques, and trophies.

The league welcomes all members of JCI Manila, JCI Senators, JCI Associate Members, and Baby Jaycees who are interested in basketball. The requirements vary based on the type of membership, but having a good standing is the general requirement. This means settling one’s membership dues, paying the basketball assessment of PHP 3,000.00, and attendance in general membership meetings.

“In line with the ambitious vision of the 2023 Board for the chapter, we want to GO BIG on Basketball this year.” – Basketball League Chairman Cholo Legisma.

Under the leadership of Overall Sports Commissioner Cyril Manalo and Tournament Commissioner and Basketball Chairman Cholo Legisma, the committee members (i.e. Vice Chairman Jack Salamia, Vice Chairman Alec Velasco, James Alba, Anton Tamayo, Adrian Ching, Carlo Villafranca, Ivan Amoguis, Clark Iguiron, Dexter Sia, and Ned Sy) are going BIG on the league this year. Among others, they are set to double down on the professional feel of the players, explore livestreamed games, courtside reporters, create individual memorabilia in the form of sporting cards, picture frames, and merchandise. They also plan to introduce hardbound collaterals of the league such as magazines and other giveaways.

Indeed, exciting things are brewing. Catch the games soon.