
THE WOMEN’S Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) is set to make history by featuring an all-female lineup of officials in its inaugural game on Sunday, Jan. 19, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion (QPAV).
The hiring of female officials is part of the commitment of WMPBL commissioner and UST Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong to grow the sport for women athletes.
“In our first opening game here at QPAV, we will make history by having an all-female lineup—table officials, referees, all women… commentators, analysts, anchors, courtside reporters, all women,” Ong said in an interview with The Flame.
“After I was informed in October, I immediately reached out to technical heads and consultants… We held tryouts for referees and I made sure that for this inaugural season, you’ll see more female referees,” she added.
Ong said she is excited about the prospects of the league, noting that talent would “always shine given the opportunity.”
“When the [Samahan ng Basketball ng Pilipinas], the national team, or Gilas coaches see this, it can serve as a potential pool for them as well,” the former national player said.
“As I always say, it’s always good to foster collaboration within the entire ecosystem of women’s basketball.”
The WMPBL— founded by boxing icon and former senator Manny Pacquiao— provides Filipina cagers a venue to extend their basketball careers and to address the limited opportunities available to those who have ended their stint in collegiate leagues.
In its first year, the WMPBL will allow athletes aged 18 and above to compete. The age requirement will transition to 21 and above once the league secures its professional status in June 2025.
The league’s inaugural season will feature 14 teams made up of collegiate programs, local government-backed squads and commercial ball clubs.
Group A will consist of Discovery Perlas, CEU Lady Scorpions, FEU Lady Tamaraws, 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.
“In the future, we want to have representatives from the Visayas and Mindanao regions. But for now, with this inaugural season, we want to push through and show people how talented our women players are,” Ong said.
Coming off their silver medal-finish in the UAAP, UST is set to take on Discovery Perlas, followed by a match between the PSP Gymers and Imus-SIS VBL. The Cavite-Tol Patriots will face the New Zealand Bluefire Valkyries will cap the league’s opening day. F – with reports from Shayne Lee Andreas Macaraeg