Camille Malagar celebrates Cebu roots in Cebu Hustle 3x3 homecoming

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Camille Malagar’s Cebu return for the Cebu Hustle 3×3: The Inaugural may have ended without a podium finish for the Pilipinas Aguilas, but the experience carried a deeper meaning for the Filipina-American guard who traced her roots back to the Queen City of the South.

Malagar, one of the rising names in Philippine women’s basketball, suited up over the weekend for the Aguilas in the international 3×3 tournament, using the opportunity not just to compete, but to reconnect with her heritage.

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The Ateneo de Manila University Lady Blue Eagles commit is among two Filipina-American players with Cebuano lineage who previously played for Christopher Newport University (CNU) in NCAA Division III. She shares that connection with childhood friend Gabbi San Diego.

Her Cebu roots run deep. Her father, Max Malagar, hails from Consolacion in northern Cebu, while her mother, Tess Escario-Malagar, comes from Barangay Zapatera in Cebu City. The couple later migrated to the United States, where they raised their family in Southern Maryland.

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“It feels so good, I felt honored to play here and embrace my heritage and culture, and the best way to do it is play here with basketball. It’s also to represent my family,” Malagar told CDN Digital.

She acknowledged the level of competition in the international tilt, saying the Aguilas had prepared well despite falling short of a podium finish.

“The competition was really good, playing international teams is always difficult, but I felt like we prepared enough and I believe we can do well,” she added.

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Malagar is expected to make her UAAP debut for Ateneo in the upcoming women’s basketball season, bringing with her experience from the U.S. collegiate ranks. The 5-foot-6 guard graduated with a marketing degree from Christopher Newport University.

“Honestly, it’s always a dream for me to play for the Philippines. It’s really my goal to make my family and to make the country proud,” she said.

Her busy schedule ahead includes international stints, with tournaments lined up in Korea next month and Singapore for another 3×3 competition. She is also being eyed for future national team duty, including potential participation in major FIBA tournaments.

In her final NCAA Division III season, Malagar averaged 6.4 points, 2.6 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, highlighted by a 12-point outing against Wartburg on March 3, where she also grabbed eight rebounds.

In Cebu, she teamed up with national team standouts Camille Clarin and Trina Guytingco, along with recently naturalized American Elizabeth Means, as the Aguilas fell just short in a tense 13-12 overtime semifinal loss to Uratex Dream.

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