The Filipino-Canadian basketball community kicked off its Spring basketball season with a semi-pro tournament in Calgary.

Various teams joined the opening of the Canada D League Briones Cup, supported by local businesses in the city.

Willie Miller, a two-time MVP of the Philippine Basketball Association, was among those who played in one of the teams.

Also playing hoops was international student and former PBA 3x3 player Allen Enriquez.

Enriquez shared that his life revolved around basketball in the Philippines. But in Canada, he saw it as a way to de-stress with his fellow Filipinos.

Realtor Alex Briones has been sponsoring Filipino basketball tournaments since 2014.

He began supporting sports tournaments after being inspired by the love of Filipinos for basketball.

"I want to help my community," said Briones. "My business [would not have] grown and the Filipino community in calgary. I wouldn't be here."

Eight teams competed at the tournament, including Team Pacific Hut of Ron Ala and of Anne Reyes.

Ala expressed hope that more Filipino-Canadians will support community events such as basketball tournaments.

"It's really good because I can see that there is a lot of people, there is a lot of support from the community," he said.

Reyes, meanwhile, finds fulfillment in helping boost the morale of her fellow Filipinos, especially those who recently arrived in Canada.

Filipinos' passion for basketball runs deep as it is woven into their culture. For many of Filipinos abroad, basketball is not just a sport but is also a language of inclusivity and belongingness.