The grand final will wrap up the second season of the Friendship Games, which this year has consisted of 82 players, including a team from Scone, that play every Saturday morning for the ten week competition run by the Liberty Church and commissioned by Pastor Rick Orbe.

“In the Philippines basketball is our number one game and passion,” Orbe said.

“There are over 1000 Filipinos in the Tamworth community and most of them work at the abattoirs so we thought we could organise a league and it happened from there.”

“We do have some Aussies playing and they love it – everyone is welcome to join.” 

The matches draw big crowds through the season and boast a festival atmosphere, with live courtside commentary, music pumping and celebrations to finish.

Pastor Orbe said that the league is growing in popularity and offers a lot to the community in general.

“When we all arrive in Australia we are all from different parts of the Philippines,” Orbe said.

“It is a really good way to get to know each other and build a community.” 

“It has also really helped us to integrate into the the wider community and we are really going to promote it next year.” 

Saturday will see a play-off for third place between the Boners and the Ranging Bulls, before defending champions Teys Day will take on rivals Teys Night, with the team names reflecting their shift times.

Teys Day sharp shooter Jess Lee Luces is loving his second season in the league and was keen to get on court and defend the title he won last year with an MVP performance in the grand final.

“Being away from our country is hard and basketball is the Philippines passion,” Luces said.

“It is like our family here and we can enjoy it with each other.” 

“It gives us really valuable time with friends and family and everyone else that is there – It has been great.” 

Luces gets on the court as often as he can, and considers himself lucky to be able to play the game he loves and have a job in Australia.

“We are lucky and privileged to have a top job but it is very physically demanding,” Luces said.

“Basketball helps us stay fit for work and these facilities and the game is great to have when we are not at work.”

Tamworth Basketball Administrator Peter McDonald is also a big believer in the competition, and after bringing the league under the Tamworth umbrella is already scouting for talent to hit the representative scenes.

“It is a great comp and atmosphere out here when they play,” McDonald said.

“There are some really good players and the games can be great.” 

“Some of the players could definitely play state league.” 

While it is a male only competition at the moment, there could be something in the pipeline for the ladies next year according to the commissioner.

“We really want to get some help to promote the competition next year,” Orbe said.

“The girls keep saying what about us so we are looking at starting a volleyball competition.” 

“In the Philippines men play basketball and women play volleyball.” 

The finals will be played at 9.15am and 10.30am.