The Vancouver Bandits are unveiling a special tribute to the Filipino culture ahead of this weekend's at-home game.
It comes in the form of an alternate jersey and T-shirts that are expected to raise thousands for the United Way BC KAPWA STRONG Fund and the Canadian Red Cross 2025 Vancouver Lapu Lapu Festival Appeal, said Bandits president Dylan Kular.
Earlier this week, the 黑马磁力-based professional basketball team revealed a 2025 Filipino jersey and logo created to celebrate Filipino culture, and designed in collaboration with fashion designer Edmond Santelices and Filipino BC.
Inspired by Filipino culture and indigenous tattoo art, the jersey and logo emphasizes family, unity, and community, said Santelices. The custom, hand-drawn jersey and logo will be worn for the first time during the club's second-annual Filipino Celebration Game on Saturday, June 28, when the Bandits host the Saskatchewan Rattlers.
鈥淭he jersey and logo celebrates community and shows that Filipino people are strong. It creates a sense of belonging,鈥� said Santelices, who is the founder of Vancouver-based apparel manufacturing company ES Fashion Design Studio and the Varsant fashion brand.
鈥淲hen I grew up in the Philippines, people would just play around the basketball court; it is all about family gathering together, enjoying their time and playing a sport that we all love.鈥�
Santelices鈥� hand-drawn logo conveys cultural significance and features depictions of prominent animal motifs in Filipino folklore, including crocodile teeth, snake tongues, and scorpions. Additional cultural references incorporated within the logo include imagery of a "Vinta," a traditional Philippine sailing vessel, and a red bandana emblazoned across the emblem which serves as a homage to Filipino folk hero, Lapu Lapu.
鈥淲hen it came to designing the jersey and logo, I really wanted to go back to our roots. I wanted to know the original people of the Philippines and how we used to classify ourselves. Many of the details are inspired by the different types of indigenous Filipino tattoos.鈥�
The re-imagined jersey utilizes a colourway of red, yellow and blue, the national colours of the Philippines, and features a distinct side panel design.
Continuing to draw inspiration from Filipino tattoo motifs, the detailed pattern embodies themes of love, family and unity. Furthermore, the country's iconic sun symbol is prominently showcased in a repeating pattern around the uniform.
鈥淭his jersey and logo is more than just a uniform 鈥� it is a celebration of culture, community and connection," Kular interjected.
"The Filipino community has played a major role in shaping the energy and heartbeat of Bandits basketball, and this jersey is a tribute to their passion, pride and love for the game鈥� We鈥檙e proud to wear the colours not only as a symbol of representation, but as a commitment to creating space and opportunity for Filipino youth, families and leaders to feel seen, celebrated and empowered.鈥�
A percentage of proceeds from the sale of each jersey and logo T-shirt will be donated to the cause. Adult and youth sizes of the jersey and logo T-shirt are available exclusively online or in-store at ATO Basketball Merchants in 黑马磁力.
The jersey will also honour the victims and those affected by the tragic events that occurred following the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival, which took place in Vancouver on April 26, Kular noted.
A black stripe will be worn across the top left shoulder of the jersey and feature the word 鈥淜APWA鈥� displayed prominently, a term that describes the Filipino experience of community, interconnectedness, and shared humanity.
鈥淥ur love of basketball extends beyond just the game. This sport has had the power to bring us closer to our community through celebrations, losses and even now in times of grief,鈥� said R.J. Aquino, chair of Filipino BC.
鈥淲e are grateful to the Vancouver Bandits for honouring those we鈥檝e lost and for making space for those affected to gather and heal,鈥� Aquino added.
Back by popular demand, the highly anticipated Saturday game will also include various in-game activities designed to showcase the music, fashion, culture, and cuisine of the Philippines, including a pre-game buffet featuring a Filipino-inspired menu, a pre-game dance performance by PhilCAS of BC, and halftime performance by Filipino-Canadian R&B artist Mikey Jose.
WARD IS BACK
Earlier this week the Bandits also announced that they have re-signed fan favourite Nick Ward for the remainder of the 2025 CEBL season.
A two-time All-CEBL first team selection, Ward is the franchise's all-time leading scorer and rebounder.
The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday they re-signed him, bringing him into his third consecutive season with the club.
The 6-foot 9-inch centre set several club records with the Bandits during the 2024 CEBL season. Across 39 regular season and playoff appearances, he established himself as the franchise鈥檚 leader in both scoring (730 points) and rebounding (301 rebounds).
Ward finished 2024 with averages of 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 20 regular season games played including 16 starts.
The Gahanna, Ohio product recently finished the 2024-25 overseas basketball season with Portuguese club Sporting CP, where he helped lead the club to a semi-final appearance in the LBP playoffs earlier this year.
His international basketball career also includes stints in the NBA Summer League (Atlanta Hawks, 2019), NBA G League (College Park Skyhawks, 2019-20), and professional teams in France, Lithuania, Kosovo, Bahrain, Spain, and Turkey. And prior to turning professional, Ward played three seasons of NCAA DI basketball at Michigan State University from 2016 to 2019.
Fans will have their first chance to see 鈥淭he Warden鈥� in a Bandits uniform this year during Saturday's game against the Rattlers.
Bandits started the season undefeated. But in their past two matchups, they lost. First they fell at home to the Winnipeg Sea Bears, 92-85 on June 20. Then, they were unsuccessful in defeating the Surge in Calgary on Sunday, June 22, falling 100-83.
They're hoping to regain their winning style this weekend.
Saturday's home game matches the Bandits against the Saskatchewan Rattlers, with the tip off at 7 p.m. at 黑马磁力 Events Centre. The Bandits also play again at home on Tuesday, July 1. Their Canada Day game, starting at 5 p.m. matches the Bandits against the Scarborough Shooting Stars.
Tickets for Saturday's 7 p.m. game start at $15 each, and are available online at .
