EIGHT participating teams will vie for pride and honor as Magilas Pilipinas Basketball Association (MPBA) fires off its Women’s Championship on Saturday, November 23 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
MPBA founder coach Fernando ‘Kotz’ Arimado said it’s all system go for the holding of this unique league for women that aims to further strengthen the program for women athletes in basketball.
“There are already many leagues for women, but there are so many talents that we need to allow them to showcase and develop,” Arimado told the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ on Thursday at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Conference Room in Malate, Manila.
“From here, hopefully, we can help the National Association to discover new talent that can be included in the future Philippine Team,” he said.
The eight teams looking for glory are Eastside, Sunday Rim Hoopers, Amarix Baller, Shape & Shades, Elijah, Cyubico, Calamba Hoopers, and Philippine Christian University (PCU) Lady Dolphins.
Coach Arimado stressed that registration is still open for those who want to participate in the tournament and gain additional experience in competitive basketball.
“Our officials are veteran referees who have also been part of big leagues, so we can expect a well-organized and systematic program,” Arimado said in the program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine, and Pocari Sweat.
Joining Arimado in the weekly sports forum were league technical committee head coach Allan Maronilla, coach Rica Francisco, and coach Jons Madriaga.
“Mataas na po ang narrating ng women’s basketball. Unlike before noong panahon na naglalaro ako, ngayon full coverage na ang mga laro at may coming professional league na rin. Hopefully, itong liga ay makatulong sa ating mga kakakaihang players para ma mag-aspire sila na maging professional in the future,” said Francisco, a former member of the women’s National Team.
