WILL THE LIPBL FORBID 'FOREIGNERS' AGAIN?
YUNG SHUE WAN, Lamma Island, Hong Kong -- Despite Banny Defeo's status as commissioner of the well-run, colorful and competitive Lamma Island Pinoy Basketball League (LIPBL), his fellow organizers seldom go along quietly with his wishes. Arguments and disputes erupt long before players hit the court.
“Actually we argue a lot,” Banny said. “We brainstorm on different ideas, argue and get really hot-headed. Often we need to disagree before we can agree, but after debate and discussion, we normally vote and get things finalized.”
A 10-member committee, including a leader from each team, meets regularly to operate the league, now in its second season at Yung Shue Wan's outdoor basketball court. As the only committee member not also a player, Banny has the impartiality for the top job.
“Although we disagree so much, the guys are great,” he said. “They're open-minded, and ideas flow freely. Then we deliberate, and everything works out in the end.”
The league, with impressive uniforms and top-notch referees, began early this year with four teams of Filipino players. All the athletes must be present or past Lamma Islanders.
For its second season, which opened on September 11, the league expanded to five teams and added three or four non-Pinoys to each squad. Mostly Chinese, these “imports” also include a few players from elsewhere, adding a global dimension.
Recent Results
In the latest action, the first-place Gray Hawks tightened their talons on top spot with a frantic 91-85 overtime victory over Huggen D'ass (red uniforms). A three-point buzzer-beater tied the score after Huggen D'ass had led for most of the game. In overtime, the Hawks had more zip left than their wearied opponents.
Meanwhile, the Lamma Lickers (yellow) scored their first victory by outlasting the Lamma Archers (blue) 83-72. Play resumes on October 16.
Successful Spectacle
Almost always at courtside, Banny himself rarely plays basketball. Instead, his favorite sports are mountain biking, climbing and anything with an outdoors theme.
But “so far, the basketball league has been successful,” he said. The players gain fun, fitness and competition. Fans love the entertainment and spectacle.
“It's the first organized basketball league on Lamma,” Banny said. “Everyone's really excited. The Filipino and Chinese communities hadn't expected to see something like this, and it is happening. Now most people will look forward to this kind of competition every once in a while.”
The league enhances a sense of community as people interact more. “It really takes all of our available time on Sundays,” Banny said. “Most players go to church on Sunday mornings and then devote the afternoons to basketball.”
Initially, the league “brought together” Lamma's entire
Filipino community – industry professionals, domestic helpers, students and others. The players ranged from age 14 to 50-plus.
“The league helped people to reconnect with each other, including friends who used to live on Lamma,” Banny said. “Some players left long ago, but now they return to play and have fun. It's like a big reunion.”
After the first season, “we heard a lot of sentiments from Chinese players that they wanted to join,” Banny said. “For years, they played on weekends, maybe half-court, three-on-three or four-on-four, but never in a league. They hadn't gotten into playing whole-court games for a long time. So when they saw the league and it became successful, they really showed interest to join. At first, they wanted to have their own team, but as the ones running the league, we decided to disperse the players.”
With non-Pinoy players participating, the league builds goodwill between Filipinos and others. “That wasn't on our agenda, but it happened,” Banny said.
Naturally, “we're thinking about a third season, but that's still at the planning stages.”
Goodbye to the ‘Foreigners’?
One contentious issue for the committee is whether a third season will retain non-Pinoy players or revert to a Filipinos-only format. “We haven't made a firm decision yet,” Banny said.
That's a crucial ruling. Proud Filipinos want the league as “their own”. Some reckon it should be strictly their own. But engaging Chinese and other players, inviting them to join, allowing them to contribute and then banishing them would cost a fortune in shattered goodwill. Probably the spurned non-Pinoys would practice together and then challenge the league winners to a nationalistic grudge match. Awkward to accept, such a dare might be harder to ignore.
Among Lamma's Filipinos, the idea for a basketball league took shape gradually. Some players had commuted to Hong Kong Island for weekend games there.
“In terms of organization and logistics, the league can be quite difficult,” Banny said. “With more teams and other nationals now, we have to step up a little. Keeping in mind the expectations of every single player, we anticipate more pressure to keep things running smoothly.”
Money Matters
Finances pose an ongoing challenge. When signing up for each season, every player contributes HK$200 to the league's coffers.
Each team secures its own uniforms. Typically they order and buy from Manila.
The organizing committee also seeks sponsors, mostly people who love basketball and enjoy watching. “Some sponsors are store-owners and old friends,” Banny said. “Maybe they're not deeply into basketball, but they help us.”
Occasional rainouts cause the most disruption. The only basketball court is outdoors. When referees come to Lamma, they're paid even if a downpour means rescheduling the games.
Referees represent by far the biggest expense, but the committee considers paying for quality officiating as essential. Otherwise, the league might promote endless on-court disputes, not sportsmanship.
“We use professional referees who do a lot of tournaments across Hong Kong,” Banny said. “They make the orchestration of games much smoother, helping us to avoid miscommunications and problems.”
Some unexpected expenses occur, and next time the participation fee for players may rise. But “for now, our finances look okay,” Banny said. “We're still trying to find sponsorship for the prizes and awards.”
A Big Happy Family
Every participant strives to make the league successful. “It's a group effort,” Banny said. “People look for ways to contribute. It's like one big happy family.”
On the subject of families, “it's good that my wife and other wives really support the league too. It isn't easy to commit to basketball on every single Sunday for three months.”
The presence of interested wives, children and parents at courtside makes the LIPBL a family enterprise. Everyone cheers for “their teams”, but with good friends on the other teams too, no one gets too upset.
“Watching the games makes a good, fun-day outing” for families and sports fans. “That's why we don't worry much about winning or losing,” Banny said. “In the end, everyone's happy. It's a nice competition. Win or lose, it's always another big win for the whole league.”
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LIPBL Standings
Gray Hawks (gray) – 3 wins, 0 losses
Awesome Tigers (green) – 1 win, 1 loss
Huggen D’ass (red) – 1 win, 1 loss
Lamma Lickers (yellow) – 1 win, 2 losses
Lamma Archers (blue) – 0 wins, 2 losses
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