Filipina women’s basketball players will be in the spotlight as the first season of the Women’s National Basketball League begins on Sunday, April 7, at the Hagonoy Sports Complex in Taguig City.
Seven teams will be seeing action in the inaugural season of the league organized by the National Basketball League, with the Parañaque Lady Aces battling the Laguna Lady Pistons in the opener at 1 p.m.
Also playing in the first season are the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Taguig Lady Generals, Pampanga Delta Amazons, and the Cleon and Clyde Lady Snipers.
Players will also get an opportunity to show their skills through a worldwide audience, as the games will be shown live on Solar Sports, NBL Philippines Facebook page, and Net 25 Facebook page, and on a delayed basis on GMA News TV International.
Following the formation of the men’s league catered to homegrown talents in different provinces, cities, and municipalities, the NBL is now organizing a women’s league in order to help the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas hone the talents of female players.
“We promised na holistic ‘yung approach natin, meaning hindi lang men’s ang ike-cater natin,” said NBL chairman and president Celso Mercado during the league’s formal launch on Thursday.
“Gusto naming suportahan ang mga programs ng federation kung papaano tayo makaka-discover ng mga talented players, hindi lamang sa men’s. Sisiguraduhin natin na eto ay kakaiba at tatanggapin, lalo na ng masang Pilipino lalo na ‘yung mga legions of basketball fans natin across the country,” he continued.
Teams have beefed up their rosters, recruiting former and current national team players as well as ex-collegiate stars from various women’s leagues, including the UAAP, WNCAA, and NCAA South.
