MANILA--The Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) is set to open its doors to Filipina basketball players in its inaugural season, which will kick off in January 2025.
The WMPBL, whose tagline is ‘Liga ng bawat Pilipina,’ aims to offer a career path for female basketball players to become professional athletes after college.
“It will create a job opportunity for women's ballers and to showcase their skills dito sa Pilipinas na maganda talaga panoorin yung women's basketball,” said newly-appointed commissioner Haydee Ong.
The former national team member and current UST head coach also aims to bring the “Caitlin Clark effect” from the WNBA to the country, to establish a huge fan base to support women’s basketball.
The inaugural season will feature 14 teams divided into two groups.
They will compete in the elimination round, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, with the two winners from each group facing off in a championship match.
Collegiate teams, including the University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Adamson University, and Centro Escolar University, are set to join the competition.
The league will also feature Relentless EZ Jersey, San Juan Lady Knights, Discovery Perlas, Imus Lady Magdalo, Solar Home Suns, Go for Gold Philippine Navy Lady Sailors, Galeries Tower Manila, Psy Gamers, and New Zealand Blue Fire.
When it comes to eligibility, the opening season will accept players aged 18 and above.
However, starting in the professional season in June 2025, the age limit will be raised to 21 to allow collegiate players time before turning pro.
According to WMPBL president John Andrew Kallos, the league will also allow one import, two Filipino-foreign athletes, and two national team players per team to provide more opportunities for local players.
“We are happy to announce that SBP, Gilas Pilipinas, and the WMPBL share one vision and mission to strengthen the women’s basketball league,” Kallos stated.
The league games will be held at Paco Arena and Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, featuring two triple-headers per week.
These games will be televised and streamed online with the support of their broadcasting partners.
WMPBL Deputy Commissioner Arsenio Dysangco also announced that two preseason games will take place on Dec. 8 and 15.
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