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Sports have been an integral part of the Philippine culture since the 19th century. Predominantly an island country the major form of sports that should have dominated the country was water sports. However it is interesting to know that Basketball became the national game of Philippines and is one of the most important sports played widely across the whole country. It is one of the favorite and passionately watched games of the Filipinos and the country enjoys the reputation of being enlisted among the first basketball playing nations in the world. The game comprises of two teams of five players each who try to score points by passing the ball through a loop hung at a certain height. The game is played according to a set of rules and involves a lot of techniques like shooting, passing and dribbling, often the players devise their own methods which become their own style and important point of reference for amateur players. In Philippines, this game enjoys immense popularity and interested players are encouraged and given chance to play through the various Basketball organizations. Basketball Clubs are also formed where one can do research about he game and also practice it extensively for taking it up as their future career. In schools and colleges the game is an indispensable part of the sport curriculum. There are two guardian organizations in Philippines dedicated to popularize the game and also provide for openings for interested players. They are the Philippines Basketball Association founded in 1975 and the Philippines Basketball League. However in the 1950’s the Philippines National Basketball Team ruled the Asian Basketball scenario and was considered the best in the field.
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