UST Growling Tigresses’ Kent Pastrana. Handout photo. MANILA — The Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) is set to make history as it tips off its inaugural tournament on Sunday at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in Manila.
Home bets UST Growling Tigresses will look to make a statement in the first-ever game of the WMPBL as they go up against Discovery Perlas in the curtain raiser while also giving their senior star Tacky Tacatac a fitting send-off.
“Niremind ko yung players ko na kahit sa labas, ate niyo sila at kilala niyo sila sa labas ng court. Pagdating sa loob, laban dapat. Kailangan madiin at ma-disiplina pa rin,” said head coach Ged Austria, son of San Miguel Beermen mentor Leo Austria.
Standing in the way of the UAAP Season 87 runners-up, however, is a Discovery squad that is bolstered by veterans.
Leading the Perlas squad is UST assistant coach Allana Lim as well as Raiza Palmera-Dy, Fats Tolentino, AA Adriano, Tantoy Ferrer, AJ Gloriani, and Nikki Villasin.
Discovery head coach Angelina Fedillaga, for her part, expressed excitement over the opportunity to participate in this historic league.
“Talagang very happy and very proud na makasama ako dito. Sabi ko nga sana sa players ko na if pwede pa ako makalaro, gagawin ko dahil ito yung dream namin as women's players,” the former UST standout said.
The Perlas coach acknowledged the challenge of facing a young UST team led by UAAP Mythical Team member Kent Pastrana, Tacatac, and debuting Nigerian student-athlete Oma Onianwa.
“Very excited ako to play against UST. We are playing against a very young team. Ang problema namin is pareho kami ng system kaya ginawa ko is to add more and play to be a little bit more different sa kanila in preparation for [Sunday]’s game,” pointed out Fedillaga.
The inaugural tournament will begin with an opening ceremony featuring a parade of all 14 participating teams.
League chairman Manny Pacquiao, president John Kallos, and commissioner Haydee Ong will grace the event, with Pacquiao set to throw the ceremonial jump ball for the opening game.
In addition to UST and Discovery, Sunday’s schedule includes two more games.
The PSP Gymers will battle the Imus Sis-VBL Lady Magdalo at 6 p.m., and it will be followed by the Cavite-Tol Patriots taking on the La Salle legends-bannered New Zealand-Bluefire Valkyries at 8 p.m.
Fans can catch the action live on IBC 13 and through the league’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel. Admission to the games is also free.