Milestones

1966

The first Filipino basketball pick-up team in Toronto was organized; played at the Old YMCA (College and Yonge) gym; group spearheaded by Andre Garcia, Rudy Villadiego, Mike Saavedra and Jerry Madlangbayan.

1967

The team moved to the Chinese Baptist Church at Baldwin and Beverley and was joined by Ric Reyes, Fred Jimenea, Ben Arroz, Rudy del Carmen, Fred Castillo, Wally Landicho, Rene David, Greg Racelis, Ernie Galicia, Mer Velasco, Rely Relacion and Rey Flores.

1969

This year, the first official Filipino basketball league in Canada was born here in Toronto. It was called “Club Filipino.” The chairmen were: Rudy Villadiego - 1969-70; Ben Arroz - 1971-72.

1973

Club Filipino was later changed to Filact and at the same time, Phil-Can was born. Greg Racelis was the first president.

1975

Rely Relacion succeeded Greg as president up until his untimely death in 1993. Under his leadership, the Club became a diversified sports association. Today, Phil-Can is involved in not only basketball (mens, ladies, youth), but in golf, bowling, volleyball, softball and tennis

1978

Phil-Can started the first inter-commercial basketball league.

1988

The North American Basketball Association (NABA) was born, mainly through the efforts of Rely Relacion, Rudy Villadiego and Gani Gregorio. Phil-Can hosted the first tournament here in Toronto.

1993

After Rely’s departure, Rudy took the task of guiding the Club as its C.E.O.

1994 / 1995

Tony del Rio, a long-time supporter and friend of Phil-Can became president.

1995

Jun Borromeo was acclaimed Club president.

1997

25th Anniversary of the Phil-Can Athletic Club

1998

10 years after the first ever NABA games, Phil-Can hosted yet another successful NABA tournament with a record number of 16 cities participating.

1999

Induction of millennium officers and board members headed by incoming president, Rafael Nebres.

2004

Phil-Can resigned its membership from NABA and along with other U.S. and Canadian cities formed the FBA (Filipino Basketball Association of North America). Integral to the launch of this newly-formed association were: Rudy Villadiego, Rene David, Jun Borromeo, Eddie Semira, Oscar Herrera, Efren Castillo, Tony Roberto, Ed Ifurung and Al Guillermo of Canada; Ben Libao, Jun Reyes of Chicago; and Angel Pangilinan and Rene Villavizer of Windsor, Ontario.

2005

Chicago hosted the first FBA tournament.

2006

Phil-Can Toronto hosted the second FBA tournament and saw our Senior team won the championship and our Tykes was runner-up behind Winnipeg. It was the most successful tournament to date with 83 teams participating.

2007

Rene David was elected President. The third year of FBA was hosted by Washington, D.C. and our Tykes won the championship.

2008

Winnipeg hosted the fourth annual FBA tournament. Our Tykes team, under the coaching expertise of Sonny David, claimed victory in the finals and became back-to-back champions.