Patrick Aquino’s dream for women’s basketball in the Philippines is to have a league it can call its own.
The decorated mentor made it known after Gilas Pilipinas’ distaff side made history last week, ruling the 30th Southeast Asian Games to win the country’s first-ever women’s hoops gold medal in the regional biennial meet.
“That’s the dream na gusto ko. Now that I’m the program director for women’s basketball, I really want women’s basketball to grow,” he said.
“Hopefully, a sponsor will come in next year and help us out to have a league of their own.”
So far, the Women’s National Basketball League is the players’ primary destination. Gilas Women standouts such as former NU Lady Bulldogs Afril Bernardino and Ria Nabalan, and CEU product Janine Pontejos play there.
Then last October, the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 made a women’s side in the Melmac Cup, a tilt made to help the country rake in federation points to make it to the FIBA 3×3 OQT. There are now plans to include it next season.
With this, one question is going around: will the PBA open its doors to a women’s division?
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the possibility was part of his plans the moment he took office back in 2018 after succeeding Chito Narvasa. He is, however, still looking for funding options.
“Matagal na naming gusto ‘yan, nung pagpasok ko pa lang. Talagang plano,” Marcial told Tiebreaker Times on Sunday, when the league honored Gilas Women during the halftime break of the TNT-Meralco Governors’ Cup semis opener.
“Gusto ko talaga. Ang problema ko lang, tignan ko lang kung saan ako makakakuha ng pondo.”
And the amiable executive isn’t going to rest on his laurels until one of his projects comes into fruition.
But for now, Marcial said that the PBA Women’s 3×3 might return soon. The league began in 2015 and lasted for a season following the Filipina cagers’ promotion to the Division 1 of the FIBA Asia Women’s Championship that year.
“Baka unahin ko muna 3-on-3, sa kanila. Parang mas madali eh, ‘di ba? Ayusin ko lang kung papaano.”
