Haydee Ong is the architect behind the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses team that ended the National University Lady Bulldogs’ dynasty in UAAP Women’s Basketball.
Following that success, she has accepted a new challenge.
The seasoned mentor will now focus on an even larger vision beyond her collegiate squad – which she will continue to coach – as Ong takes on the role of commissioner for the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL).
“Yung love ko talaga for women’s basketball. I think yun yung rason kung bakit ko tinanggap, to give a platform for women’s basketball after collegiate talaga,” said Ong, a prominent figure in women’s basketball.
“At the same time, siyempre, the more tournaments or leagues like this, mas marami tayong made-develop for the national team,” she continued.
The newly appointed commissioner outlined her plans for the first season of the WMPBL, which is the female counterpart of the successful men’s regional basketball league, the MPBL.
Ong, who previously managed the women’s national team, shared that she is targeting eight to ten teams for the inaugural season, with four squads coming from the UAAP and the remaining teams being LGU-based groups.
Early plans indicate that the league will open in January 2025 and run until April, with the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan serving as its home.
A key challenge in starting new leagues has always been sustainability, and Ong aims to address this by involving individuals who are genuinely passionate about the growth of women’s basketball.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I think with the support of Senator Manny, who believes that there are many women who want to play basketball, I think that’s number one,” said Ong, crediting former senator Manny Pacquiao’s ability to organize leagues.
Pacquiao’s MPBL has been successfully operating for four years, and his group has also established the MPVA for women’s volleyball and the Junior MPBL for age-group basketball.
“Number two, with the private sector and LGUs, when we talk to them, everybody will submit their letter of intent, and we’ll filter out who the serious individuals are, not just those who are fly-by-night in forming teams,” she added.
Despite her new role, Ong will remain focused on the Growling Tigresses, who are the defending champions in UAAP women’s basketball.
UST will be one of the four UAAP teams participating in the WMPBL, but Ong will not coach; instead, she will pass the baton to Allana Lim and the rest of the coaching staff.
Balancing two responsibilities will not be a problem, as Ong has already secured the support of the UST administration for her new endeavor.
“I’m so happy because this morning, tinext ako ni Fr. Rodel Cansancio, and he congratulated me, saying, ‘All for women’s basketball, UST is behind you,’ so ganon kasuporta yung UST,” she shared.
“This is not only for UST anymore; it’s a bigger picture. After collegiate, saan pupunta yung mga bata? This could be a career for them; this is the first platform for them.”
