NEW YORK - A thousand miles away from the hoops-obsessed Philippines is Brazil, another basketball-loving country and one of the NBA's top international markets.
In Brazilian sports, football remains the undisputed king, yes, but basketball has carved out a colorful space for itself that blends the game with culture, art, fashion, and music.
Among many names bringing stories to life is Alana Ambrosio, a commentator who currently serves as NBA on Prime's lone female international talent.
Ambrosio herself knows full well that covering basketball is not just about knowing the game, but also understanding the people who play it and finding ways to tell their stories.
And that approach, she believes, has something to do with being a “girl's girl.”
Being one, and being surrounded by women who share her values, taught her the importance of listening, reading the room, and being considerate of her interview subjects and sources.
“I am a girl's girl and someone who has many girlfriends, and as a storyteller, it's your job to make the other person feel comfortable,” she said. “It's not just what you ask, but how you ask it.”
The sensibility of asking the right questions and creating a safe space to speak and be heard allows the 34 year old to give proper context, while exploring the sport's vibrant connections to fashion, pop culture, and even gossip to help audiences understand athletes better.
“Context is important because we like a little gossip. Who doesn't?” she said.
That appetite for stories beyond the court is part of what makes basketball so compelling for Ambrosio.
Statistics and results go without saying, but also part of a journalist's job is getting to know better the people who give it character, as well as understanding their perspectives and why fans connect with them.
The Brazilian commentator is joined by former NBA players Greivis Vasquez and Kevin Seraphin, veteran anchors Álvaro Martin and Tommaso Marino, and Cris Sasaki in NBA on Prime's international coverage.
Living the dream
Looking back from where she is today, Ambrosio shared the origin story of her love for basketball that, of course, just had to begin with watching games with her father.
Her interest eventually grew, and she began writing about the sport through a blog that became her entry point into sports journalism.
“I am living my fangirl's dreams. It was just a hobby that became a passion and became my job,” she said.
And as Ambrosio established herself in basketball coverage, she also became more aware of what her presence could mean to others.
She was reminded of the value of representation whenever people shared how her work had influenced the women in their lives.
“When people tell me, ‘Oh, my daughter or my sister or my girlfriend likes watching basketball because of you,’ I feel seen,” she said.
Those moments mean a great deal to Ambrosio because they connect her work to something larger than her own career.
Having had limited options for female role models in basketball coverage while growing up, she understands the significance of becoming that person for others.
“I feel like I'm holding a door, and hopefully many, many more women will join this door as spectators and, of course, as colleague journalists in the future,” she said.
READ: Prime looks at NBA through different lens in 'The Art of Basketball'
Deep down, Ambrosio believes representation is about making a possibility visible to someone who might never have considered it before.
“When you see somebody that looks like yourself, that touches you, and of course, you can feel like a part of it, and that's the goal,” she said.
Beyond visibility for women, Ambrosio's storytelling also returns to a narrative close to the Filipino fan's heart: the power of sports to change lives.
Reflecting on the journey of one of the few Brazilians to reach the NBA, Ambrosio recalled an interview with Cristiano Felicio, the former Chicago Bulls center, that stayed with her.
Felicio told her that, growing up in a family with limited means, he did not have access to a basketball court. As a child, he found ways to play with what he had, shooting at makeshift targets using paper.
He eventually made it to the NBA.
Most definitely, his story reflects how sports can create opportunities in a country marked by significant economic inequality - a narrative familiar to Philippine basketball as well, where the game has also opened doors for athletes and their families.
“Before there is even the remote possibility of money, there is love,” she said.
For Brazilians and Filipinos alike, basketball's significance extends beyond the game itself. It lies in the personalities of the players, the fans who find a connection to the sport, and the opportunities it can create beyond the court.
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