In a historic leap for women’s sports in the Philippines, the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League officially launched its first professional season last Sunday night.
It was a milestone that marks both a personal and national victory for league commissioner Haydee Ong, who had been dreaming of a professional women’s basketball league since her playing days — a dream that has now come full circle as she leads the very platform she once wished existed.
“Syempre sobrang saya kasi dream ko pa ‘yan nung naglalaro ako eh,” said Ong, who once suited up for University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP and now serves as the school’s head coach.
Having once dreamed of this opportunity during her own playing days, Ong now finds fulfillment in building what she never had, a true home where Filipina basketball players can pursue their careers beyond college and the national team.
“So ‘yung career ko is in full circle already. Naging athlete, naging coach, now commissioner so very happy ako dahil ito na ‘yung parang magiging legacy ko rin for women’s basketball na magkaroon talaga ng pro league after college, pwede ng magkaroon ng another career ‘yung mga kababaihan sa basketball,” said Ong.
“Sana ma-realize ng mga players natin na sa college, ‘yung mga tapos na mag-college, na I’m doing this for women’s basketball. For them to have a career na hindi lang sa national team.”
(C) WMPBL
Ong also said the launch of the WMPBL’s first professional season will provide a significant boost to the Gilas Pilipinas Women program, as it gives players more exposure and valuable experience at a higher level of competition.
“Yung national team natin magkakaroon din ng malaking pool because meron ng professional league. The more exposure the women’s na magkaroon ng maraming liga kagaya nito, mas makakatulong din sa national team,” she said.
But the job is far from done for Ong.
The mission now is to keep the league stable so that more and more players, teams, and stakeholders can confidently invest in its future — ensuring that the opportunities created today will continue to grow for the next generation of Filipina hoopers.
“Of course, yung number one goal natin sa WMPBL is to make it sustainable and stable. For your program to be successful, ‘yun ‘yung number one — to be stable and sustainable. Number two is to encourage more team owners and LGUs to join the WMPBL para mas lumaki ‘yung pool of players natin na pwedeng maglaro,” the multiple-time UAAP champion coach said.
“Lastly, of course kung magiging stable at sustainable, ibig sabihin mas matagal ‘yung magiging programa, mas maraming magbebenipisyo. ‘Yung mga trabaho na nabibigay ng WMPBL hindi lang sa players, of course sa mga referees, production, table officials, so lahat ‘yan sama sama ‘yan buong ecosystem para magtulungan for the WMPBL.”
