04/11/2025
𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦-𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | 𝐔𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐩-𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐏𝐉𝐄𝐄𝐏: 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐇𝐒-𝐒𝐇𝐒
The world is shaped like a ball for a reason—the HOOPJEEP: Philippines Tour made its way to the hardcourt of the Wellspring High School–Senior High School covered court yesterday, November 3, 2025. Faced with a bedlam crowd of lucky students, the atmosphere was intense right from the get go as many local and foreign born players were met with cheers. The event was made possible by The P.U.S.O. Foundation (The Purposeful Unconditional Service to Others Foundation), Hoopbus, and the Ka Yerr Foundation.
All three are nonprofit organizations that partake in philanthropic actions that spread happiness, love, and memories through human compassion. According to the official Hoopbus website, “Basketball has the power to transform lives, build bridges, and uplift communities,” and it did just that in the exhibition. Yesterday, basketball was truly the driving force for positivity and joy as seen by the many smiles of the WHSians.
The likes of famous local streetball players Kalye Irving, The Reaper and others were present, but it was the “mga dayo” who stole the spotlight. French streetballers Little Giant, Bastian Bastos, Indiana, U.S.A. (United States of America) native Gabe Hilt, 6’10ft hooper Big Whyte, baller-actor Elvin Rodriguez and more were present in the showcase. Rodriguez is widely-known for his role in the Netflix film ‘Hustle,’ starring alongside comedian Adam Sandler and former NBA (National Basketball Association) player Juancho Hernangómez. Other notable visitors were Hannah and DJ Pia. Pia is a proud alumnus of WHS, studying there in her freshman year (grade 7) in 2014.
“Hoop culture brings people together, like no matter where you’re from, you just go outside and play in tsinelas. People are just playing with their hearts out—it’s impressive,” Bastos stated in an interview after the event.
“This is a go-to if you love basketball and if you want to improve in terms of basketball, and just like me, love, what’s happening here, this is all love,” Little Giant also added after both were asked about their thoughts about the Filipino hoop culture.
The program started with a showcase of streetball talent as the players were introduced one by one while the crowd stood in awe of their skills. It was followed up by a dance showdown where four confident students of Eulyza Trinidad, Kallel Valeroso, Kelly Sacramento, and Denziel Mendoza stepped up to face-off with the visitors, to which Sacramento won in front of the home crowd.
After the giggles, the real showdown began. A 3-on-3 took place where a select of WHS Basketball Varsities, Denziel Mendoza, Justine Gomez, and Louie Pabustan duked it out with the foreign hoopers, showing no fear despite the height and skill disadvantage. In the second game, the visitors took on the faculty and staff of the school with Mr. Shivanny Dela Cruz, Mr. Nikko Elizares, and basketball coach Mack Maliwat taking the challenge. Switching it up on the third and fourth game, a 5-on-5 matchup was brought for the crowd to enjoy. The visitors played against the basketball varsities of the school. All and all, a wide-array of highlights like dunks, crossovers, passing prowess, and overall feel for the game were dished out in the many games displayed.
“Una sa lahat, masaya ako dahil nabigyan kami ng chance maipakita yung talent and pinaghirapan namin sa bawat training. Sa simpleng scrimmage lang, lalo kaming ginanahan maglaro dahil sa hype ng crowd and competition. Thankful naman kaming lahat sa binigay na once in a lifetime chance,” Mendoza stated after the event.
Before the HoopJeep drove off to its next destination in Subic, the students got the chance to talk and take photos with the visitors, and the visitors gave away free t-shirts, tumblers, and basketballs for the students’ delight.
As the saying goes, “game recognizes game,” indeed, basketball has grown into a global phenomenon especially here in the Philippines. In every street corner, one thing is for certain, you will always see a basketball hoop and an example of what the love for the game looks like.
𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆: Stephen Kurt G. Pros, Editor-in-Chief
𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆: Rhea Anne M. Futalan, Literary Writer
