Jack Animam says having ‘a lot of imports’ misses essence of SEA Games

PHNOM PENH — 6-foot-5 Filipina basketball ace Jack Animam expressed her thoughts about the Southeast Asian Games’ rules on naturalized players after the 3x3 men’s and women’s basketball events.

Host Cambodia fielded multiple naturalized players in both events, with their men’s team that included three naturalized players coming away with the gold medal after defeating Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 in the finals.

Animam and her Gilas Women team, meanwhile, triumphed over the hosts’ women’s squad in the semifinals before claiming the silver medal. The Cambodia side they faced had four naturalized players, composed of Meighan Simmons, a former 26th overall pick in the WNBA, Brittany Dinkins, Mariah Cooks, and Kim Hanlon. They finished fourth in the tournament.

Animam feels that fielding teams of mostly naturalized players defeats the purpose of the biennial meet, which she said should be about displaying what the participating nations have to offer.

"Well syempre it's unfair, especially sa countries na wala naman ganon kalaking fund(ing). But I think if there's going to be a lot of imports - like this - I don't think the essence of the SEA Games is gonna be there," Animam said after their gold medal game loss to Vietnam on Sunday.

("Well of course it's unfair, especially to countries that don't have that much funding. But I think if there's going to be a lot of imports - like this - I don't think the essence of the SEA Games is gonna be there.")

"Parang, para saan pa? Why are we doing this SEA Games if we're not fielding our homegrown talents? That's... for me, SEA Games is to show your talents, kung ano meron kayo sa bansa. But if you're getting from other countries, I think parang pro league na 'to."

("What is it for? Why are we doing this SEA Games if we're not fielding our homegrown talents? That's... for me, SEA Games is to show your talents, what you have in your country. But if you're getting from other countries, I think it becomes like a pro league.")

Animam is no stranger to Simmons. According to the former National University star, she met the 31-year-old guard when she was playing for Toulouse Metropole Basket in Europe.

She said they had talked about Simmons possibly playing in Asia, though Animam admitted she was surprised to find out here that it meant taking on national team colors for Cambodia in the SEA Games.

"Actually hindi, I was shocked at the dining hall when I was walking around, and I was like—is she who I think she is? And then I walked up to her and she said, yes I'm playing for Cambodia," Animam recalled.

("Actually, no. I was shocked at the dining hall when I was walking around, and I was like - is she who I think she is? And then I walked up to her and she said, yes I'm playing for Cambodia.")

"But I remember, after a game in Toulouse, we had like a drink or two so we were talking and talking sabi nga nya sa play downs niya sa LF1, wala na siya, cause she's going to Asia. I think I heard Cambodia, but I never thought SEA Games, so I was really shocked she's here."

("But I remember, after a game in Toulouse, we had like a drink or two so we were talking and talking and she mentioned she wouldn't be there for the play downs in LF1 because she's going to Asia. I think I heard Cambodia, but I never thought SEA Games, so I was really shocked she's here.")

And though the FIlipinas fell short of gold, Animam said they came prepared for the SEA Games regardless of their opponents.

"We prepared for this and this is what we do. [Kung] sino 'yung kalaban, we're ready to play."

("We prepared for this and this is what we do. Whoever the opponent, we're ready to play.")

—JMB, GMA Integrated News