Animam joins Paras in US, signs with East West Private

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Jack Animam is the latest Filipina to join East West Private.

After Kobe Paras’ announcement of foregoing his final playing year in the PH under the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, the Filipina center followed in his footsteps and arrived in the US weeks after.

Animam was fresh off a stellar Taiwan University Basketball stint and led the Shih Hsin University to another championship run.

The title campaign was made sweeter following an undefeated regular season and a sweep during the tournament’s semifinals and finals, cementing her name as one of Taiwan’s greatest imports.

“Siyempre, lahat ng athlete, gusto ma-reach ‘yung highest league kung anuman meron sa sports nila. WNBA is always a dream. I still have a long, long, long way to go,” Animam said.

A former Gilas Pilipinas women’s leader, Animam posts one of the most decorated resumes as a basketball player.

The six-foot-two post-player is a five-time UAAP champion with National University, a two-time Southeast Asian gold medalist, the UAAP Season 80 Most Valuable Player trophy, UAAP Season 81 Finals MVP awardee, four All-UAAP team inclusion, UAAP Season 78 Rookie of the Year, and the first-ever PSA Ms. Basketball award.

“I’m just focusing on the things I can reach which hopefully leads me to the WNBA dream,” Animam added.