Historic was the year 2020 for professional sports.
Besides mainstays Philippine Basketball Association and Philippines Football League, many sporting leagues chose to embrace professional status, including Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 and National Basketball League-Philippines. Moreover, the Games and Amusements Board and the Philippine Sports Commission have drawn the fine lines regarding the separation of pros and amateurs.
The year 2021 seems set to become another historic year for the pros. But this time, women athletes are taking the spotlight.
“We are so excited for 2021 because the PVL turned pro, plus the WNBL,” said GAB Chairman Baham Mitra.
“Women in sports will definitely be put on center stage this year.”
Both the Premier Volleyball League and the Women’s National Basketball League-Philippines will be writing new chapters for Philippine sports. By turning pro, the two leagues are now the prime destination for women spikers and women ballers, respectively.
The Professional Chess Association of the Philippines is also set to license at least 32 women’s chessers.
There’s even a team – the Palawan Queen’s Gambit, owned by Baham’s brother Jojo – which will feature an all-women’s team which includes WIMs Marie San Diego and Mikee Suede.
Beach Volleyball Republic will also be turning pro this year, enabling the likes of Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dzi Gervacio, Bea Tan, Dij Rodriguez, DM Demontano, and many more to become the country’s first-ever pro beach volleyball players.
For Chairman Baham, having many pro women’s leagues will open a plethora of opportunities for girls dreaming of becoming full-time athletes.
“This is a chance for our women’s athletes to not just showcase their skills. This will open up opportunities for the next generation to aim and to pursue a career in sports.”
