All set for WMPBL opening salvo

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 at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in Manila.

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 composed of collegiate, clubs, and local government units.

“The foundation of this league is simple: to create a home for women’s basketball players here in our country,” WMPBL president John Kallos said.

“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 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 that will be graced by WMPBL chairman Manny Pacquiao is set for 2 p.m. before hostilities kick off.

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

“My love for women’s basketball is the main reason why I accepted the role as commissioner,” WMPBL commissioner Haydee Ong, a former national team head coach, said,

“At the same time, we want more tournaments like this so that we can develop future members of the national team.”