New women's cage tournament formed

MANILA, Philippines - Women’s basketball got a shot in the arm with the creation of the Philippine Women’s Basketball League (PWBL).

MBT commissioner Nilo Fernandez said PWBL has been organized as a separate non-stock non-profit sports association to give the country’s top women’s teams and players a league of their own. Its first tournament is tentatively set in October just after the collegiate tournaments.

LWUA chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, who also heads the national chess association, has been elected chairman emeritus with Fernandez as vice -chairman and commissioner.

The formation of PWBL, according to Fernandez, is also a welcome development for budding stars since they will now have something to look up to after playing in the collegiate leagues.

Other officers include Army General Charlie Holganza as director for planning, ex-UST coach Elizabeth Peque Tan as director for technical, Orica Philippines president Louie Sarmiento as director for finance, Lee Soriano as marketing director and Mike Belzunce as operations manager.

“PWBL is the culmination of the work done in the last five years by MBT in developing women’s basketball. We will be the premier women’s basketball league not just in Metro Manila but for the entire country,” said Pichay. “Eventually, we should be able to go nationwide, bring the top teams and players from the various regions of the country to compete in the PWBL.”

Inquiries: PWBL Marketing directly at 09153870418 or 09189155895 and for teams/players applications you may call/text the League Operations at 09228001894.