ITINALAGA ng Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) ang national team standout na si Jack Animam bilang unang Women in Basketball Ambassador nitong Huwebes.

Dahil sa kahanga-hangang career sa National Team at collegiate league --mula sa National University at nagtapos sa Shih Hsin University sa Taipei – maraming kabataan ang nabigyan niya ng inspirasyon.

At dahil sa opisyal na posisyong ibinigay sa kanya ng SBP inaasahang magpapatuloy bilang mabuting halimbawa si Animam sa marami pang Filipina basketball players.

“Jack has been a blessing for women’s basketball here in the Philippines and we’re happy to have her front-and-center for the SBP’s Women in Basketball program,” pahayag ni SBP President Al Panlilio.

“Aside from winning five straight championships in the UAAP, what really sets Jack apart was that she was always available when the country needed her services on the international stage may it be for 3×3 or five on five. We know how passionate she is about elevating Filipina basketball players by giving them a bigger stage and that’s why she’s perfect for the role.”

Hawak ni Animam ang rekord na 96-0 sa kabuuan ng kanyang collegiate career sa nakalipas na anim na taon.

Bukod dito, kasama din sa koleksiyon ng 6-foot-2 center ang UAAP Season 80 Most Valuable Player trophy, UAAP Season 81 Finals MVP plum, apat na All-UAAP team citations, isang All-UBA team selection, UAAP Season 78 Rookie of the Year, dalawang Southeast Asian Games gold medals at unang PSA Ms. Basketball award.

Kaakibat ng kanyang puwesto, ang nakaatang na tungkulin upang mapataas ang mahikayat ang marami pang kababaihan upang maglaro ng basketball sa pamamagitan ng pagiging isang mabuting huwaran at inspirasyon.

Ang FIBA’s Women in Basketball ay isang programa na may hangaring ma develop ang mga elite competitors at coaches, mapaangat ang pagkilala sa mga kababaihang basketbolista at maparami pa ang supporters ng women's basketball. Marivic Awitan