Refreshing WMPBL

This writer was pleasantly surprised watching the Manny Pacquiao’s Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. The games are, in a good way, harking back to when the game was more raw, more pure, more personal. Honestly, it feels like the best of the 1970’s again. It is a great idea whose time has come.

The rules are also a refreshing – and necessary – means to maintain parity. Currently, all players are required to be above 18 years old, as there are four collegiate teams in the 14-team field. This will be raised to 21 years old in the league’s pro tournament beginning in June. Teams are allowed two Gilas Pilipinas Women players, one foreign import, and a maximum of two Filipino-foreign players each. This recalls the original rules of the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association or MBA, which aimed at the transfer of basketball technology from Filipino-heritage players who had grown up overseas.

What is new for jaded basketball spectators is the intensity and quality of the games. Whether the games are tight or blowouts, teams throw everything at each other. There are no easy wins; everybody fights to the end. The coaching is at a very high level, and you can see the technical skill and experience of the players. Of course, it was a little difficult for some teams, as they only had a few weeks to prepare for the maiden tournament. But we expect that to change as they develop internal chemistry along the way. The upside seems unlimited.

The crowd is also different. Games are packed, fans are predominantly women, and they know their basketball. More importantly, they know the players very well. At the same time, they seem to understand the game deeply.

Under the genius and guidance of long-term collegiate champion coach Haydee Ong, the WMPBL has already started at a higher level. It has given so many opportunities to women in various capacities of the game. Coaches, referees, technical officials and even broadcasters are predominantly women. And they are ready to assume the roles once thought to be solely for men; they bring their own touch of finesse to the game, too.

What impressed us the most is the absence of emotional outbursts, and posturing perpetuated mainly by men. Though women are decidedly more emotional, there is less angst, less anger, less one-upmanship against each other on display. They are a tighter community compared to men’s leagues, not spoiled boys who grew up feeling entitled. Perhaps it is because everyone in the WMPBL is aware that everyone has worked so hard for this opportunity, and they all understand that this is their big shot to stay in the mainstream. It is the break they have all been waiting for for so long. And they are hoping to be able to sustain the growth gradually, humbly, professionally, together. We wish them the best. They are a breath of fresh air.