Leung hopes to spark Macau

Jenning Leung was a shining light for Macau in the Gilas send-off showdown at the PhilSports Arena last month and if the Black Bears play in one or two PBA conferences this coming season, the six-foot deadshot will surely emerge as a fan favorite. Macau has appealed to play in the PBA first conference starting Oct. 5 but because of the nature of the Philippine Cup, the league will welcome a foreign team only for the Commissioner’s or Governors Cups or both.

At the Gilas send-off, Leung fired 17 points, including 5-of-8 triples, and dished out two assists in 31:18 minutes. Macau led, 63-46, at the half but Gilas stormed back to hold the Black Bears to 35 points in the last two quarters in hacking out a 103-98 win.

Leung’s profile in most basketball info sites indicates he was born in Laguna and is Filipino. But neither is the case. Leung, 30, was born in Pullman, Washington and moved to Los Baños when he was one-year-old. “My dad Hei Leung worked as a rice scientist at IRRI next to UP Los Baños and I lived in Los Baños until I was 17 then went to McGill University in Canada,” said Leung when asked about his Philippine background. He holds a Canadian passport and IDs from Hong Kong and Macau.

“My dad passed in 2022 and was from Hong Kong and the US while my mom Debbie Cook is Canadian and lives in Vancouver,” he said. “I wish I had Filipino blood because the Philippines really does feel like home. I started at Brent in Grade 5 in 2005 and stayed there until I graduated in 2013. I remember so many of my classmates and teammates. I actually played on the same team as coach Tim Cone’s son Kevin. My best friend’s family is still in the Philippines and it was nice getting to play in front of them for the Gilas game. Also, the Activities Office Staff at Brent, I love them and they’ve been so supportive my whole career.”

Leung said he’s aware that PBA player Sean Anthony attended McGill. “My brother Kailan was at McGill when Sean played for the school,” he continued. “Sean scrimmaged with us one summer and we chatted about our Philippine connection. I went to McGill because they were the first Canadian team to offer me a roster spot after I worked out for a few schools. It so happened my parents and brother had gone there, too.”

If the Black Bears play in the PBA, Leung said it’ll be a highlight in his basketball journey. “I’m so excited for the potential of playing in the PBA,” he enthused. “I’m not sure if it’s confirmed yet but if it is, it’ll be a dream come true. I’ve watched the PBA with my brother and I always wanted to get the chance to play in the league. I also think the PBA will help us prepare for EASL and be a great platform for the players, coaches and organization.”

Growing up, Leung said his shooting idols were Steve Nash and Ray Allen but pointed to Steph Curry as the greatest marksman alive. “My shooting has always been a work in progress,” he noted. “In high school, I wasn’t a good shooter but was forced to become better at McGill or else I wasn’t going to play. I learned from my brother and my Brent and McGill coaches. The keys were just non-stop repetition and practice.”

Leung said playing against Gilas was an amazing experience. “What stood out was how the crowd energized their play and how it elevated their game,” he recalled. “Once they hit a few shots and got some stops, the crowd got into it and you could just feel the game shift in their favor. I think Ramos, Edu and Perez sparked them in the second half and that made it tough for us.”