Glutagence will make Philippine basketball history come Saturday evening when it selects the first three picks in the first-ever Women’s National Basketball League draft.
With the honor comes pressure as well. After all, they are the only team with 12 picks after only protecting Nicole Delos Reyes, Micah Figuracion, and Julie Pearl Gula.
Glow Boosters owner Justin Tan does not feel worried about it, saying that the 115-strong pool will boast plenty of talent that can lift their franchise.
“We decided muna na tatlong protect players because malalim ‘yung pool ng draft,” said Glutagence owner Justin Tan.
Tan is best known for being the owner of MPBL club Mindoro Tamaraws.
But little does anyone know that he also served as an assistant coach for a women’s collegiate team – the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers back in 2018.
That is why for him, putting up a pro women’s basketball team was a no-brainer for both himself and his brand.
“I was an assistant of Coach Karl in Benilde Women’s. Masaya ‘yun and challenge din for me kasi bigay todo ‘yung women’s maglaro. They are very exciting to coach.
“Glutagence naman is one my products so we saw this as a way to help promote the brand,” he said.
With close connections with the green side of the collegiate spectrum, Tan looks to draft to La Salle greats in Camille Claro and Khate Castillo.
“Camille was convincing me that if we get her, we’ll get Khate as well. She showed me her highlights and we liked it. We are eyeing din other players from other schools,” bared Tan.
Besides winning, Tan just wants to be part of helping grow the women’s game. And with that, he has already pledged to the WNBL brass that he will be part of the league for the long haul.
“I’m excited and happy for the players. ‘Yung passion kasi ng women’s players is much higher than the men’s. I’m happy for them kasi after college, lagi nila tinatanong kung sa’n sila pupunta. I’m pretty sure lalaki ‘yung liga with sila Ms. Rhose [Montreal] leading the way.”
