Importance of growth in women's basketball emphasized in the Philippines
MANILA (Philippines) - Women's basketball has made waves, leaps, and bounds in the recent years. There has been much effort put forth by many sides to continue the progress of women's basketball, especially in the Philippines.
“From a women's basketball point of view in the Philippines, this ranks as good as Gilas qualifying [for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup]”
"Developing women's basketball is very important for the [Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP)]," said federation president Al Panlilio, as per Manila Bulletin.
Among the steps towards women’s basketball development range from a recent webinar concerning “Women in Basketball” and the recent establishment of the WNBL as a professional women’s basketball league for the first time ever.
The aim of [the Women in Basketball] webinar series is to help coaches in women's basketball deepen their knowledge with the help of highly successful and passionate speakers from all over the world," added Panililio
Many coaches throughout the region attended the series of webinars which were held over the weekends for consecutive weeks.
Another lead forward in the right direction for women’s basketball in the Philippines is the establishment of the WNBL as the country’s first ever women’s professional basketball league.
“It is a welcome development. This will push the popularity of women’s basketball in our country,” said Patrick Aquino, head coach and program director of the women’s national team, as per The Philippine Star.
“Hopefully, more fans and sponsors will take notice,” he added.
One player that the hometown fans should be looking forward to watch is Jack Animam, who has been starring in the paint for the national team in recent competitions. They might have to wait a bit as she is bound to play abroad for Shih Hsin Univeristy before returning for the WNBL.
Nonetheless, she is also just as hyped for the development of the league as anyone else.
“This is a big help not only for the women’s program in the country and Gilas but also for the aspiring female players from the grassroots level,” Animam said, as reported by The Philippine Star.
Gilas Pilipinas Women's has been enjoying a recent run of success, highlighted by winning two gold medals in the Women's Basketball and Women's 3x3 Basketball tournaments at the Southeast Asian Games 2019.
The program has come a long way from making the jump to Division A of the Women’s Asia Cup back in 2015.
"We have arrived," declared Philippines coach Patrick Aquino back in 2015 after the accomplishment.
"From a women's basketball point of view in the Philippines, this ranks as good as Gilas qualifying [for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup]," he added.
Their efforts to keep improving has resulted in being able to retain their status playing in the Division A over the past two Women’s Asia Cups.
Those that are involved in the women's basketball scene in the Philippines hope that these steps forward will keep the ball rolling for the development of the sport in the country.
FIBA
