August 22, 2025 | 12:00am
Jenning Leung was a shining gentle for Macau within the Gilas send-off showdown on the PhilSports Enviornment final month and if the Black Bears play in a single or two PBA conferences this coming season, the six-foot deadshot will certainly emerge as a fan favourite. Macau has appealed to play within the PBA first convention beginning Oct. 5 however due to the character of the Philippine Cup, the league will welcome a international staff just for the Commissioner’s or Governors Cups or each.
On the Gilas send-off, Leung fired 17 factors, together with 5-of-8 triples, and dished out two assists in 31:18 minutes. Macau led, 63-46, on the half however Gilas stormed again to carry the Black Bears to 35 factors within the final two quarters in hacking out a 103-98 win.
Leung’s profile in most basketball information websites signifies he was born in Laguna and is Filipino. However 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 labored as a rice scientist at IRRI subsequent to UP Los Baños and I lived in Los Baños till I used to be 17 then went to McGill College in Canada,” stated Leung when requested about his Philippine background. He holds a Canadian passport and IDs from Hong Kong and Macau.
“My dad handed in 2022 and was from Hong Kong and the US whereas my mother Debbie Cook dinner is Canadian and lives in Vancouver,” he stated. “I want I had Filipino blood as a result of the Philippines actually does really feel like dwelling. I began at Brent in Grade 5 in 2005 and stayed there till I graduated in 2013. I keep in mind so lots of my classmates and teammates. I truly performed on the identical staff as coach Tim Cone’s son Kevin. My greatest pal’s household continues to be within the Philippines and it was good attending to play in entrance of them for the Gilas recreation. Additionally, the Actions Workplace Workers at Brent, I really like them they usually’ve been so supportive my complete profession.”
Leung stated he’s conscious that PBA participant Sean Anthony attended McGill. “My brother Kailan was at McGill when Sean performed for the college,” he continued. “Sean scrimmaged with us one summer time and we chatted about our Philippine connection. I went to McGill as a result of they had been the primary Canadian staff to supply me a roster spot after I labored out for a number of faculties. It so occurred my mother and father and brother had gone there, too.”
If the Black Bears play within the PBA, Leung stated it’ll be a spotlight in his basketball journey. “I’m so excited for the potential of taking part in within the PBA,” he enthused. “I’m undecided if it’s confirmed but however whether it is, it’ll be a dream come true. I’ve watched the PBA with my brother and I at all times needed to get the prospect to play within the league. I additionally suppose the PBA will assist us put together for EASL and be an excellent platform for the gamers, coaches and group.”
Rising up, Leung stated his capturing idols had been Steve Nash and Ray Allen however pointed to Steph Curry as the best marksman alive. “My capturing has at all times been a piece in progress,” he famous. “In highschool, I wasn’t shooter however was compelled to turn out to be higher at McGill or else I wasn’t going to play. I realized from my brother and my Brent and McGill coaches. The keys had been simply continuous repetition and apply.”
Leung stated taking part in towards Gilas was a tremendous expertise. “What stood out was how the group energized their play and the way it elevated their recreation,” he recalled. “As soon as they hit a number of pictures and obtained some stops, the group obtained into it and you possibly can simply really feel the sport shift of their favor. I believe Ramos, Edu and Perez sparked them within the second half and that made it robust for us.”
