Animam puts a fitting face on SBP’s program for women

The Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) named Jack Danielle Animam the face of one of its noteworthy programs, the national federation announced on Thursday.

Animam will be the SBP’s ambassador for its Women in Basketball program, which hopes to develop and leverage elite competitors and coaches, increase gender diversity and boost the game’s female fans.

The move comes in the heels of yet another stellar showing by Animam, who stretched her unbeaten varsity run in Taiwan by helping the Shih Hsin University (SHU) to its second championship in the University Basketball Association.

“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,” SBP president Al Panlilio said in a statement.

“Aside from winning five straight championships in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines), 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,” he added.

“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.”

Animam, who is currently in Taiwan for a master’s degree in Public Relations, helped the SHU Tigers to a spotless season, winning 18 games en route to the crown—a feat that mirrored her campaigns with National University in the UAAP.

Ultimate goal

Animam has played in a total of 96 games on the collegiate level and has won each one of them, etching her name deeper into the lore of the women’s game in the Philippines.

In a previous Inquirer interview, Animam said that her master’s degree should also come in handy in her ultimate goal of helping grow the women’s game.

“I think I could use this to further promote women’s basketball [and] create more platforms where we could showcase the women’s game,” the 22-year-old 6-foot-5 center said.

And the timing couldn’t be more perfect for the do-it-all forward.

SBP’s appointment of Animam also coincides with the launch of the national federation’s web show, “Women in Charge,” where she will be the first guest. The show premieres on Friday, 8 p.m. on the caging body’s Facebook page, fb.com/samahangbasketbolngpilipinas.

The show will be hosted by former Gilas women’s guard, Bea Daez-Fabros.