BASKETBALL HAS always been an integral part of my life. My dad is an Ateneo basketball team fanatic, so naturally, he raised me and my brothers the same way.  The earliest memories I have of basketball are in Araneta, and although I did not understand the games back then, they had food that was good enough to keep me in my seat. Our weekend schedule would work around Ateneo’s games, if the games were on Sunday, I had to study and do all my homework or else I had to stay at home and watch from the TV. There was no specific moment when I knew that I had a grasp of the game. Eventually, I just knew what a travel or foul was. Suddenly, the gibberish words that I would hear my dad and brother talk about made sense.  

Before I knew it, I was in basketball attire and enrolled in basketball training camps. I don’t recall being asked if I wanted to play basketball, but I do recall not complaining about it. I didn’t mind being the only girl playing against boys. I just wanted to learn and play basketball. In grade school, as soon as we were allowed to join our school’s clubs, I immediately went to the basketball club. What joy it brought me to end up representing my school. 

I loved the game. I gave it so many days of my life and it gave me so much more in return. Basketball taught me the importance of practice, dedication, patience, and humility. It made me realize my strengths and weaknesses. It taught me that although I’m not the fastest runner, I’m good at keeping up with my opponents to play defense. I loved the winning moments and learned to be resilient through losses. One of my favorite things about it was how long each game would last and how it would make it seem like the outside world⁠—and all the responsibilities that came with it⁠—was nothing. 

I knew that I’d eventually have to give up playing basketball. There aren’t any professional women basketball leagues in the Philippines, and even if there were, I knew that it wasn’t the path for me. For as long as I could remember I had a basketball in my hand, but I knew it was time to put it down. Today, you won’t find me with a basketball in my hand. Instead, you’ll find a camera. You won’t find me on the court but on the courtside. It feels different to see the game I love through a camera. I sometimes find myself just watching the game instead of taking photos. It’s still difficult to keep myself from reacting when I see a bad call made. I also can’t help but feel nostalgic whenever I see the passion of the players on the court. I miss the celebrations and even the tired but fulfilling feeling after each game. However, it’s refreshing to witness the game from a different perspective. I get to celebrate my love for the sport through something new—not through being part of the audience or through playing the game, but through capturing all the moments in between.