Yukon’s Filipino basketball league flourishing

Photo submitted

The territory’s Filipino community has their very own men’s basketball league.

The Yukon Pinoy Basketball League started in late 2007, and operates under the umbrella of the Canadian Filipino Association of Yukon.

From an initial league that consisted of four teams of 10 to 13 players, it has grown to seven teams currently – a total of more than 150 players who compete every weekend. 

The growth of the Pinoy Basketball League has mirrored the growth of the Filipino community, as more and more Filipinos have come to Yukon seeking employment and a new life in Canada, under programs like the Yukon Nominee Program.

The league is organized by Romeo Gayangos, also known as the Yukon’s Filipino basketball commissioner.

Teams are sponsored by a variety of local businesses, with team sponsors including: the Pilinians, Gray Management Services, Viernes Janitorial, Iceberg, KFC, Sirius Security, and Sun Life Financial. 

Currently, the Pilinians are in first place with a 4-1 record, while Gray Management Services and Viernes Janitorial are hot on their heels with 3-1 records.

The games are held on Saturday and Sunday evenings at school gyms in Riverdale, in front of enthusiastic audiences that include both Filipino and non-Filipino basketball fans.

The public is welcome and are guaranteed an enjoyable evening of fun sports entertainment.

Basketball is a hugely popular sport in the Philippines, having been introduced a century ago by the Americans when they governed the Philippines. During the period from 1898 to 1900, the Americans introduced the young sport to the country.

The Philippines was among the very first basketball playing nations in the world.

Soccer, which had previously been the most popular sport, was replaced by basketball and other American sports such as baseball and football.

It didn’t take long for basketball to really catch on.

From the 1910s to early 1930s, the Filipinos dominated the basketball scene in Asia, winning nine of 10 championships in the Far Eastern Games.

Today, basketball in the Philippines holds a status similar to hockey in Canada.