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Draft:Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

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Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL)
Upcoming season or competition:
Current sports event 2025 WMPBL Invitational Tournament
SportBasketball
FoundedNovember 24, 2024; 7 days ago (2024-11-24)
FounderManny Pacquiao
First season2025
CommissionerHaydee Ong
MottoAng Liga Ng Bawat Pilipina (The League of Every Filipina)
No. of teams14
CountryPhilippines
HeadquartersPasig
ContinentFIBA Asia (Asia)

The Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) is an upcoming women's amateur basketball league in the Philippines consisting of fourteen teams. It serves as the women's counterpart of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

The league launched on November 2024 by boxing legend and former Senator Manny Pacquiao and will be the fourth league under the Maharlika Pilipinas name, following the men's MPBL, the Junior MPBL, and the volleyball counterpart Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA).

History

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Background and establishment

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Following the success of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, Manny Pacquiao expanded on its grassroots format by creating new leagues under the Maharlika Pilipinas name. After the launch of the Junior MPBL in June 2023, Pacquiao founded the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association in October that year, the first to feature female athletes.

Reports of a direct women's counterpart were first published in October 2024, when Haydee Ong, head coach of the UST Growling Tigresses basketball team, accepted an offer to become the league's inaugural commissioner.[1][2][3] The league formally launched on November 24, 2024 at the Winford Hotel in Manila, with Ong stating that "women's basketball now has evolved into a more exciting brand compared to the previous era", alluding to the Caitlin Clark effect seen in the United States. Although the league initially targeted eight to ten teams for the start of league play, fourteen ended up turning in. The league will begin play with the 2025 Invitational Tournament on January 19, 2025 to be held at either the Paco Arena in Manila or the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. The league then plans to transition to professional status by mid-2025, during which it is expected to run its first full season.[4][5]

Teams

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For the 2025 Invitational Tournament, the league will feature fourteen teams.[4][5]

Overview of WMPBL teams
Team Locality / College / Company Founded Joining Head coach
Cavite 'Tol Patriots Cavite 2024 2025 TBA
CEU Lady Scorpions Centro Escolar University 2024 2025 TBA
Discovery Perlas Discovery 2024 2025 TBA
FEU Lady Tamaraws Far Eastern University 2024 2025 TBA
Galeries Tower Manila Manila 2024 2025 TBA
Imus Lady Magdalo Imus, Cavite 2024 2025 TBA
New Zealand Blue Fire None 2024 2025 TBA
Philippine Navy Lady Sailors Philippine Navy 2024 2025 TBA
Pilipinas Aguilas None 2024 2025 TBA
PSP Gymers PSP Fitness Gym 2024 2025 TBA
Relentless EZ Jersey Relentless Basketball 2024 2025 TBA
San Juan Lady Knights San Juan 2024 2025 TBA
Solar Home Suns Solar Home Supplies and Services 2024 2025 TBA
UST Growling Tigresses University of Santo Tomas 2024 2025 TBA

Roster regulations

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For the 2025 Invitational Tournament, all players must be at least 18 years old. Teams will also be able to have one import and up to two Filipino-foreigner players. In addition, each team is limited to two players who play for the Philippines women's national basketball team. Once the league turns professional, the age requirement will be increased to 21.[4]

Season format

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Invitational

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The league will divide the teams into two groups. Each group will then go through a three-round playoff bracket to determine the group winners who will face off in a one-game playoff to determine the league champion.[4]

Commissioners

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No. Commissioner Tenure
From To
1 Haydee Ong October 2024[1] incumbent

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Valencia, Justin (October 27, 2024). "Haydee Ong aims to elevate women's basketball as WMPBL commissioner". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  2. ^ Matel, Philip (October 28, 2024). "Haydee Ong takes on new role as WMPBL commissioner". RAPPLER. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  3. ^ Morales, Luisa (October 28, 2024). "For love of women's basketball, UST's Haydee Ong takes on commissioner role in WMPBL". onesports.ph. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Morales, Luisa (November 25, 2024). "'Liga ng Bawa't Pilipina': What to expect from the inaugural WMPBL tournament". onesports.ph. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Dongiapon, Rob Andrew (November 25, 2024). "WMPBL aims to bring 'Caitlin Clark effect' in PH women's basketball". RAPPLER. Retrieved November 26, 2024.