jiliko Building a league of their own with the WMPBL

The Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is set to give female basketball players a new shot at a pro career

You don’t even have to be any kind of sports fan to know that 2024 was a big year for women’s basketball.jiliko

Caitlin Clark graduated from college ball and joined the WNBA, bringing in droves of new fans tuning into the newest phenom of pro sports—and shining the spotlight on her fellow female athletes in the league as a result, even if some of them are a little resentful of the attention she’s getting.

With interest in women’s basketball now sparked and kindled all across the world, local leagues are jumping on the opportunity. Filipino sports icon and senator Manny Pacquiao, who owns the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, has helped found the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL), with its inaugural tournament kicking off on Jan. 19, 2025. The WMPBL will start off in January as an amateur league but is set to become a fully fledged professional league by June 2025.

Filipino sports icon and senator Manny Pacquiao, who owns the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, has helped found the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL), with its inaugural tournament kicking off on Jan. 19, 2025

Needless to say, Filipina basketball players are hyped about a new career opportunity. A previous attempt was made with the Women’s National Basketball League back in 2021, but the worst of the pandemic at the time prevented it from reaching its full potential, leading to its quick end after only two years. Ballers hope that the WMPBL is the shot they’ve been looking for, after many players have been forced to take up coaching jobs at schools.

“It’s our chance to get to be heard,” says Rica Young, who’s playing for the WMPBL’s Solar Home Suns, a coach for the University and Asia and the Pacific and Xavier School basketball teams, and a graphic artist by day. Many aspirants gathered recently at the Jordan Manila court in BGC for open runs hosted by local organization Improving the Game, where they can hone their skills and keep themselves in top shape in preparation for the league’s opening next month.

With interest in women’s basketball now sparked and kindled all across the world, local leagues are jumping on the opportunity

“I wasn’t able to play in the UAAP. I missed that chance already. Right now, I have the chance—that’s why I pursued coaching because I don’t want to stop. Now I have the chance to play again. I’m physically ready,” adds Young.

“I was excited for women’s basketball because we’ve been waiting for this actually. And hopefully, this is a league that will stay,” says Camille Ramos, a player, content creator, and coach of the Chinese International School Manila team. She’s set to coach in the WMPBL.

“Right now, there’s a lot of talent. The game has changed a lot. There’s a lot of young players coming in, and there are different places now compared to before, which is really exciting,” Ramos furthers.

Filipina basketball players are hyped about a new career opportunity

“We all are waiting for this big opportunity. It’s actually happening,” says an excited Young. “Women are really competitive right now, and from a coach’s perspective, I really look at the attitude and composure during the game. Women are much more patient as basketball players, and they really execute what they’re asked to do. We have to face the reality that women may be smaller than men, but the execution is really outstanding. And the puso, too!”

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Rio Tinto said in a statement it had approached the company regarding the potential “non-binding” acquisition.

Meanwhile, ballers can come play at Improving the Game’s open runs and share a love for basketball.

“I was excited for women’s basketball because we’ve been waiting for this actually. And hopefully, this is a league that will stay,” says Camille Ramos, a player, content creator, and coach of the Chinese International School Manila team. She’s set to coach in the WMPBL

“They deserve the opportunity. WMPBL is a great platform/league that will help a lot of women ballers out here in our country,” says Improving the Game founder Kyle Jimenez.

“Whether you are an athlete, aspiring athlete, high school or collegiate level or you just love the game, you are welcome to join the community,” he adds. “It just shows how wild the basketball community here in the Philippines is because they are all talented and skilled. Our mission is also to create a platform for women hoopers to showcase their talents.”

If you build it, they will come

It’s still early to tell, but the WMPBL seems to be a “Field of Dreams-esque” case of “if you build it, they will come.” Ramos says all it takes for the women’s side of the sport to be taken more seriously is to put up games and avenues where fans can simply come and watch.

There’s clearly a lot of female basketball talent today “WMPBL is a great platform/league that will help a lot of women ballers out here in our country,” says Improving the Game founder Kyle Jimenez

“There were free WMPBL exhibition games recently and so many people were watching, especially fellow women ballers,” observes Young. “It really makes me proud that so many people are actually going to watch it.”

If and when the crowds come, the dream of having an actual professional team that will provide a feasible livelihood for women players will be even more attainable. “The most important thing is that it’s sustainable,” says Ramos. “This time around, what I wish for women’s basketball is that it’ll stay for the next few years.”

“The most important thing is that it’s sustainable. This time around, what I wish for women’s basketball is that it’ll stay for the next few years”

“For my own career, I just want to learn more in my path as a coach, learn more from my idols in the coaching industry,” Ramos adds. “The goal for myself is simple: It’s to be happy where I am, being surrounded by the basketball industry.”

jackpot party

“I’m really thankful for the people who made the WMPBL happen, the women’s basketball community, and even men who support women’s basketball,” says Young.

“I want to thank the WMPBL, and I wish them well. I hope that we’ll be able to sustain this togetherjiliko, and that the women’s community will support them,” says Ramos.