WMPBL kickoff gives Philippine women’s basketball big lift

MANILA, Philippines – The Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) is set to make history as it begins its ambitious journey of providing a home for Filipino women’s hoopers on Sunday, January 19, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.

With the tagline “Ito ang liga ng bawat Filipina,” the league aims to establish a platform that nurtures and showcases local talent, featuring 14 teams comprised of college squads, clubs, and city-based teams.

“The foundation of this league is simple: to create a home for women’s basketball players here in our country,” said WMPBL president John Kallos. “Our goal is ambitious, but we are optimistic that this will be the start of something beautiful for women’s basketball.”

The inaugural tournament, supported by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist, will feature two groups of teams.

Group A will include Discovery Perlas, FEU Lady Tamaraws, CEU Lady Scorpions, Cavite Tol Patriots, PSP Gymers, Solar Home Suns, and the Pilipinas Navy Aguilas.

Meanwhile, Group B will be composed of the UST Growling Tigresses, EZ Jersey Relentless, San Juan Lady Knights, New Zealand Bluefire Valkyries, Kalos PH-Philippine Navy Lady Sailors, and Galeries Tower Highrisers.

The tournament format will feature a single round-robin eliminations.

The top four teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, where the top two seeds will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage. The semifinals and finals will be played as best-of-three series.

Games in this tournament supported by Uratex, Red Dynasty, Gotobox, Gerry’s Grill, Prettiest, Team Graphite, Evo Performance Helmets, Ryzen Helmets, Katinko, Dorayd Balls, Sogo Hotel, Bosny Paint, and Discovery Perlas will be held every Sunday and Wednesday, airing live on IBC 13, as well as on the league’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The opening ceremony, graced by WMPBL chairman Manny Pacquiao, is set for 2 pm at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.

Following the formalities, three games will kick off the season.

The UST Growling Tigresses will face Discovery Perlas at 4 pm, followed by PSP Gymers taking on Imus-SIS VBL at 6 pm, and Cavite-Tol Patriots going head-to-head with New Zealand Bluefire Valkyries at 8 pm.

“My love for women’s basketball, I think that’s the reason why I accepted this (league role),” said WMPBL commissioner Haydee Ong, a former national team head coach. 

“At the same time, of course, the more tournaments or leagues like this, the more we can develop players for the national team.” – Rappler.com