There have been only seven documented 100 points-or-more individual performances by a Filipino player in Philippine basketball history, at least in the high school, college and major commercial league levels.
![Eumir Felix Marcial [photo credit: Eumir Marcial Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/marcial3-e1620805332834-400x200.jpg)
The problem is Eumir Felix Marcial, who’s now a professional pugilist, though I sincerely believe that his commitment to the national cause remains solid as ever is fighting an enemy, an imaginary enemy or shall I say the wrong enemy.
![Shanden Vergara [photo from Shanden Vergara Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/152933267_3702356333211111_1734413611797966971_n-400x200.jpg)
According to Football for Humanity Founder Chris Thomas, Shanden is “doing some damage” over at LMU by scoring goals as a midfielder.
Philippine football needs all the help in can get along with any opportunity to get a shot in the arm, especially from a UEFA football mind like Owen’s.
More than 140 players crossed their Rubicon in shedding their amateur status to turn professional in the inaugural season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in 1975.
![Marck Espejo [photo credit: Mark Espejo Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/espejo2-400x200.jpg)
Espejo, son of a housewife and an electrical project officer based in Guam, said a hoop incident led to a U-turn in his priorities. He got injured after landing awkwardly while trying to stuff the ball in a pickup game.
![Philippine Women's Team A 12th AKT [photo credit: Mr. Inigo Roces]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/166316687_286731173078362_76204533622256443_n1-400x200.jpg)
The UKFP was originally founded by representatives of the Cebu, Davao, IGA, Iloilo, & Manila Kendo Clubs with the initial purpose of making it easier to coordinate with one another to field delegations to international events.
Football for Humanity donates school and food supplies and footballs all over the country and they make sure the footballs get to their intended recipients.
It was the Crispa-Floro Redmanizers and the Toyota Comets/Tamaraws that romanticized PH basketball for more than a decade.
Toshiki Sato was discovered by 10-year NFL veteran Nick Novak training on a football pitch or a soccer field depending on what floats your boat, so Sato and Novak had a conversation and the rest, as they say, is history.