For the first time in five years, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines is bringing back the girls’ basketball tournament.
The inaugural tournament, held during UAAP Season 82, concluded with Adamson University and the University of Santo Tomas being declared co-champions after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Finals.
This season, UST will return alongside Ateneo High School, De La Salle-Zobel, and National University Nazareth School for this demonstration event, which tips off on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
NUNS head coach Camilla Escoto, a former women’s basketball player, expressed her excitement about the tournament’s comeback.
“Very happy and very excited about it kasi I believe, we just need to start somewhere and it will start growing. Ganun ang women’s basketball eh. Bigyan mo lang ng platform and they will perform and start becoming more,” said Escoto, who led NUNS to victories in the National Basketball Training Center’s girls’ division and the UAAP girls’ 3×3 tournament last year.
“Although there are only four teams pa lang for this season, it’s a good start. We just really need to start.”
NUNS will begin its campaign against Ateneo at 4:00 PM. The girls’ games will follow the boys’ games on each game day, scheduled on Sundays and Thursdays.
Junior Growling Tigresses head coach Arsenio Dysangco emphasized the importance of having a high school division in the UAAP to ease the transition of student-athletes to the collegiate level.
“I am extremely delighted that after a four-year hiatus, our young girls finally have their own tournament to showcase their talents. This tournament is also critical in the development of women’s basketball because starting them early gives them a better chance at reaching their fullest potential as basketball athletes,” said Dysangco, who has served as a long-time deputy for Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong.
“As for our girls’ basketball team, we just want them to always play to the best of their ability, with passion and heart, and represent our beloved university well. Our mainstays Grachelle Boteros and Barby Dajao from Bacolod serve as the pillars of our program. They will try and lead our team this coming season,” he added, as UST prepares to face DLSZ on January 26.
UST will be bannered by the duo of Grachelle Boteros and Barby Dajao.
(C) UAAP Season 85 Media Team
Several prospects from UAAP Season 82 have already made their mark in collegiate basketball.
Inaugural MVP Cris Padilla, along with Kat Agojo, is leading the charge for the Lady Falcons.
Brigette Santos and Nicole Danganan have excelled with the Growling Tigresses, while Katelyn Cancio is thriving as a homegrown Blue Eagle. Former Jr. Tigress Rachel Lacayanga has also found her place with the University of the East.
Ateneo head coach PJ Navarro expressed optimism about his team’s debut.
“I expect lots of positivity and I am enthusiastic for our girls going into this tournament. I am hopeful they are able to execute well in the games what we have been training these past months. Team captains Chesca Pangilinan and Jian Exconde, along with Tyler Templo, Matia Molina, and Cheska Gozum, are our players to watch out for,” he said.
Junior Lady Archers head coach Louie Fernandez echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the tournament’s significance for talent discovery and development.
“This is very important. Aside from WNCAA, this is a great avenue for the girls to show that they can play basketball, especially at the high school level. As young as 12, 13, or 14, we can discover talent here. They will be prepared for bigger leagues in the future. The whole women’s basketball community will benefit a lot, and also the Gilas program,” said Fernandez, whose team will be led by Naima Navarro, Aveh Cordero, and 14-year-old prodigy Sofia Martinez.
For Escoto, the return of the tournament marks a milestone for women’s basketball.
“Napakalaki! Honestly, nakakataba ng puso. I’ve been here for a while already, even during the time na halos wala pang tournaments and support for women’s basketball, and to see and have all of it now, it’s overwhelming,” said Escoto, whose Lady Bullpups will be led by Gilas Girls standouts Aubrey Lapasaran and Ashlyn Abong.
“Of course, all of this won’t be possible without the people working so hard to make it happen – Gilas Women’s program with Coach Pat Aquino’s success, Atty. Mariana (Lopa) tirelessly serving women’s basketball, and all the players elevating the game. This is what makes women’s basketball exciting. Every year, iba iba yung story and they’re all very colorful and inspiring to see,” she added.
