Cagebelles gaining support

Women's basketball drew massive support following the impressive finishes of Gilas Pilipinas Women and Gilas Pilipinas U16 Women squads in recent Asian tournaments.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Willie Marcial rallied behind women's basketball, saying that it's about time for lady cagers to be treated the same way as their male counterparts.

The 64-year-old Guiao said giant conglomerates like San Miguel Corporation and MVP Group of Companies should throw their support behind the female players who are starting to make their presence felt in the international arena.

The Gilas Women came up with a strong performance in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Australia while their younger counterparts, the U16 team, bagged the title and were promoted to Division A in the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship in Jordan just recently.

The U16 squad, for one, was so impressive that it crushed its foes by an average winning margin of 53.4 points, including a merciless 144-22 crushing of lowly Maldives.

"It's a given that sports leaders should throw their solid support to women's basketball. It's long overdue," said Guiao, who broached the idea of having a women's division in the Philippine Basketball League during his stint as commissioner from 1997 to 1999.

Although the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas already has a solid program for women's basketball with Patrick Aquino serving as head coach and program director, Guiao believes that a lot of things can still be done in harnessing women's basketball in the country.

"Japan, Korea and China had done the past few years and by the time we adapt to it, we are already behind them. It's time for us to step up," Guiao said.

"To do this, we need the backing not just of the SBP, but also the PBA and some of the giant conglomerates like San Miguel Corporation or the MVP Group of Companies since they have the means."

Marcial said he will propose the creation of a women's basketball tournament.

"Perhaps, we can start with the 3×3," Marcial said.

"But I need the board's approval for this."