Every country has a national sport (or two!) These are sports that are almost universally enjoyed, either as fans of professional teams or by playing with friends or on rec leagues. Nearly everyone has memories tied to the national sport and it acts as a social unifying force. The United States has baseball and American football, the UK has cricket and football, Ireland has Gaelic football and hurling, Australia has rugby and Australian rules football, and the Philippines’ favourite sport is basketball.
Sports betting trends are a useful way to track the popularity of a sport in a country or region. Football betting is a huge industry in the UK, which reflects how popular the English Premier League is in the country. In the Philippines, betting on the PBA, the NBA, the NBL Australia, and other major basketball leagues is hugely popular.
This guide to sportsbooks on BetKiwi provides plenty of examples of reliable sites to use to bet on basketball and other sports. Bettors can sort by sport to pull up all the available basketball betting markets and current or upcoming events.
Not every basketball fan enjoys betting on the sport. For many, just watching or playing the game is enough. This article will dive into the history of the sport in the country to see just how basketball became the Philippines’ favourite sport.
History of Basketball
Some sports have origins that are shrouded in mystery. Modern football might be traced to English boys’ schools in the 19th century, or it might have its origins in medieval or even ancient ball games played by entire villages.
With basketball, we have an example of a sport with a very clear history. Basketball was created in December 1891 by James Naismith. Naismith was a physical education teacher who wanted to create a game for the youths at the YMCA Training School in Massachusetts.
The game has undergone some changes over the last 150 years (using a net instead of a basket was obviously one of the best changes!) including changes to the number of players and the size of the court. For the most part, however, basketball is still the same game that Naismith created.
Basketball began in the United States but spread quickly thanks to the YMCA’s international reach. The NBA was created in 1946 and the popularity of the sport in the United States grew thanks to basketball programs in high schools and universities. Basketball also became an Olympic sport around this time, increasing its international profile.
Since then, basketball has steadily grown in popularity around the world. There are three main reasons for this. The first is that it can be played almost anywhere, from arenas and gymnasiums to backyards and streets. Second, it requires very little equipment, just a ball and one or two hoops. This makes it accessible to everyone who wants to play. And third, basketball is popular because it’s so much fun to play!
Basketball and the Philippines
Basketball was introduced to the Philippines soon after it was created. In the 1910s, the Philippines was still an American colony, and the game was imported by the American teachers brought in to establish a Western-style school system. It was originally a game for girls only. Despite its troubled origins in American imperialism, basketball caught on outside of the school system.
Over the decades since it arrived, basketball has become a beloved pastime for all ages and across all class lines. In 1936, the Basketball Association of the Philippines was created. It granted the Philippines entry into the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
The Philippines participated in the first Olympic Games that included basketball and came fifth. Up through the 1950s, the country participated—and did very well—in numerous international tournaments. In 1954, the Philippines came third in the FIBA World Championship. This remains the highest-ever finish for an Asian country in this tournament.
In 1975, the Philippine Basketball Association replaced the Basketball Association of the Philippines, and in 1983, the Philippine Amateur Basketball League was created. From there, the commercial league was able to flourish, and more people than ever before had opportunities to play basketball competitively.
Since the 1980s, the Philippines has hosted the FIBA World Cup several times. Currently, many of the best Filipino players move overseas to play professionally. This is similar to the talent drains we see in other countries.
As important as the professional level is, the real heart of basketball in the Philippines is amateur street basketball. Just like in New York City and Los Angeles, people gather at improvised spots to play friendly and competitive games. Basketball has become a community game that builds friendships and keeps people active and involved.
Conclusion
The Philippines has embraced basketball at all levels of society. The success of basketball around the world—and particularly in the Philippines—is a testament to how enjoyable the game is to play and watch. As the sports world becomes less dominated by America, we’re looking forward to seeing further development in national and regional sports leagues around the world.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement of any betting or gambling services. Readers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with local laws and regulations regarding online gambling. Philtimes.com.au does not promote or encourage participation in gambling activities and bears no responsibility for the external links provided.
