PBAM • Since 1971
PBAM • Since 1971
The organization was started in 1971 by a motley crew of basketball loving, Filipino neo-immigrants in Montreal.; Robert de Guzman, Jun O’Clarit (Mapua-Crispa), Popoy Maximo (Lyceum), Fred Casia, Luis-Inaki Sarasola, Emil Advincula, Jun Rimbao, Romie Buenaventura, Jun Fernancdez, Jake Maguigad, and Albert Candoleta. Mike Castro, Jorge Tapia, Nelson Dosado, Hal Sotero, Boy Dagsaan to name a few, came right after. Together, they played FILAC TORONTO in home and away games.
In 1975, the loose group, aka Filipino Sari-sari Store guys, bolstered by Dr. Bart Javier and Bert Abiera started the first organized Montreal Filipino Basketball League. Chaired by big league oriented Gani Gregorio (Adamson-Mariwasa) the original six teams were the Green Lancers (Pards Medina), Red Lions (Ike Sarasola) Blue Max (Jorge Tapia), White Warriors (Hal Sotero), Orange Byrds (ake Cuerquis), Yellow Crusaders (Bruce Vergara). The League caught fire and with the influx of new arrivals, the Maroons (Boy Flores), the Cream Knights (Art Carrera) and the Charlie Browns (Ben Lising) joined in. In keeping up with the changing times and also be credible, the Association, on Hal Sotero’s initiative, acquired legal status. It was incorporated March 1982. A year later, the PBAM hosted the 7th PIBNA (PHILIPPINE INTER-CITY BASKETBALL OF NORTHERN AMERICA) tournament. It was the first of a record breaking 4 hostings (1991-2000-2006) of the prestigious 16 City Tournament. A tough act to follow but it was done.
For the next decade, Ike Dimayuga, Nilo Yee, Pepe Carbon Mike Castro, Jorge Tapia, Eric Cosico, Lito Espinosa, Bot Miranda, Peping Tolentino and others handled PBAM affairs. The Association and the League flourished and was on all time high but by the end of the decade, success got the better, negatively. The league started to unravel, the PBAM was in a tailspin. Marred by rough physical play and an aborted Championship game, the Association became no men’s land, a place where angels feared to tread.
In 1993, Jake Maguigad, Mike Castro, Peping Tolentino, Ric Cosico, Godie Clemente, Alex Reyes ideated a Youth League under the PBAM aegis. With the tacit approval of PBAM President Lito Espinosa and Jorge Tapia, the PHILIPPINE YOUTH BASKETBALL CONFERENCE OF MONTREAL AND SUBURBS (PYBCOMS) was hatched. Defying odds and the wrath and threats of adult players who were locked out, PYBCOMs premiered with 9 teams in two Divisions, the LAWIN and PIPIT. The original youth teams came from FCA West Island. FCA South Shore, the TROOPERS, the MAVERICKS, and Cote des Neiges. The innovative alternate bridged the gap between the Canadian-born and the recent immigrant, the inner city and the suburbanite, minimized school drop out and help keep juvenile off the streets. It also brought community interaction and wholesome family entertainment.
Slowly and painstakingly, the new look PBAM added new Divisions. Young and old, motivated civic minded Clubs, e.g. Doce Pares and Palaboyz to join up. The concept earned the trust and cooperation of parents, the respect of humbled adult players and the gratitude of the Community. The rest is history, from the ragtag days of the 70s, the tumultuous 80s, the spirited 90s, the PBAM has grown from the original six to the present strong vibrant Association of 72 teams with 600 plus players mostly from the major Youth Clubs of KIDZ CLUB, the PALABOYZ, PINOY HOOPS, FCAWI, PAAWIS, SEAHAWKS, BAKERS. For this community service, the PBAM was made a Partner Organization by the City Government as representing the sports interest of the Philippine Community.
This historied Association runs mini basketball clinic for the city, hosts the annual TEEN CAGERS CHALLENGE INVITATIONAL in July, manages the METRO SUMMER LEAGUE and now, in its second year, the first ever MULTI-CULTURAL SUMMER LEAGUE. It is a power player in the PIBNA, producing two Commissioners, ROBERT DE GUZMAN and JAKE MAGUIGAD, several Youth Division Champions, 15-17-19 and the 5’10. The PBAM is a big league operator maintaining a low profile by design. It has weathered controversies, withstood the challenges of splinter groups and survived crises. It remains focused on bringing service to youth and community.
To promote physical fitness, sportsmanship, fellowship & teamwork
To create friendly and closer relationships among the Filipino youth in the greater Montreal area
To fill in their recreational needs and idle hours within a fraternal atmosphere
To teach the merits of competition while stressing the true value of sportsmanship
