Means to an end

Elizabeth Means hopes to play basketball for the Philippines.

The Gilas Pilipinas Women candidate has been in the country since November, and has received a warm reception. The dedicated pro has shown her capabilities in scrimmages with the 3X3 team that is now in Bangkok for the Southeast Asian Games.

“Everybody in my family played basketball. I was always tall as a girl,” says the California native. “So they knew that was the sport for me, that or volleyball.”

Everyone from her friends, coaches and particularly her father, encouraged her to become competitive. She grew to six feet tall. In her teenage years, Beth found her own passion and drive for the game. It became her pathway to a full college scholarship, a degree and possibly a career.

“When I finally finished college, I took a break from basketball. I thought I was done,” Means confesses. “Took about a year off, worked as a personal trainer with athletes, so I stayed in the space. After about a year, I realized how much I missed it and I wanted to come back, so I started my pro career.”

Growing up, Beth had many Filipino friends, even a teammate in college. But she only became aware of how intense the sport is in the country while playing her first pro season in Ecuador. Coach Anton Altamirano organized with her agent to have the Westminster University forward come to the Philippines. She’s expected to add her versatility and rebounding to the Nationals.

“I’d heard great things about the Filipino culture and the people, and that they take basketball very seriously here,” she adds. “That was really compelling to me. It’s been awesome. It’s completely surpassed my expectations. Everyone is so generous and welcoming and humble and just wanting to make me better and make me want to enjoy my time here.”

If all goes well, Elizabeth Means, Bennie Boatwright and Malick Diouf will be the means to further boost the country’s international campaigns in basketball. And Filipinos have already made them feel at home.

The Elizabeth Means interview is on Basketball Universe PHL on YouTube and Facebook.