Beyond basketball: PYFBA dribbling its way into environmental advocacy

CEBU, Philippines — Using sports as a platform to make an impact in the society, the Professional Youth Fellowship Basketball Advocates (PYFBA) headed by Cebuano sportsman Dee J Villanueva will be taking part in a tree planting activity as part of the World Environment Day celebration on Friday, June 5.

Established in 2001, PYFBA is a Talisay City-based grassroots sports program and youth development organization that combines basketball training with youth empowerment.

“This has always been our goal - to teach discipline, teamwork, and community involvement while keeping young people engaged in purposeful activities,” said Villanueva, the 2025 ORLACSAN Awardee of the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC) for his selfless dedication and notable works that go beyond sports.

Guided by that vision, Villanueva is calling on all PYFBA members as well as players from various ballclubs in Talisay to support this meaningful undertaking.

Villanueva said the Pagtambayayong Foundation Inc. in collaboration with various stakeholders from Talisay LGU that include farmers, fisherfolks, youth federations and urban poor sector target to plant at least 300 mangrove seedlings from 6 to 8 a.m. at Sitio Pagatpat in Barangay Dumlog.

As a gesture of appreciation, those who will be joining PYFBA’s laudable initiative will be allowed to participate in the 5x5 league and 3-point shootout that Villanueva is organizing on Sunday, June 7, at the Aulga City Sports Gym along Sombria Street in Barangay Lawaan II.

“We hope that in our own little way, we can raise awareness, create a positive impact, and make a significant contribution to environmental sustainability through sports,” Villanueva ended.