The Impact of Caitlin Clark: A Basketball Revolution
Women's Philippine Basketball League intends to replicate 'Caitlin Clark impact' in local women's basketball scene
Caitlin Clark, the basketball sensation hailing from the US, has set a wave in motion, commonly referred to as the "Caitlin Clark effect." This phenomenon has stirred a surge in popularity and attendance for women's basketball, not just in the WNBA but across the globe.
In the Philippines, the Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) aims to replicate this effect when their inaugural tournament tips off in January 2025. WMPBL commissioner, Haydee Ong, expresses her ambition to bring this wave of excitement to the local league.
Clark, renowned for her sharpshooting skills, managed to garner attention and interest, whether it be from the crowd or TV viewers, during her college and WNBA stints. Ong believes that Philippine women hoopers possess the potential to mirror this effect, citing numerous breakthroughs at both the local and international levels.
"We want to bring over the Caitlin Clark effect here," Ong declared at the league's press conference. The new league hopes to use this effect to give women's basketball a much-needed boost in the country.
Initially planning for an eight-team tournament, the league has increased the participation to 14 teams. Five of these teams are from the collegiate ranks, while the remaining nine are from commercial and local government teams. The league will be an amateur league for the first tournament.
The participating teams will be divided into two groups, with the top performers from each group contesting for the inaugural WMPBL championship. Among these teams are the Imus Lady Magdalo, Cavite Tol Patriots, Go for Gold-Philippine Navy Lady Sailors, Galeries Tower, PSP Gymers, San Juan Lady Knights, Solar Home Suns, Pilipinas Aguilas, Relentless EZ Jersey, Discovery, New Zealand Blue Fire, CEU Lady Scorpions, FEU Lady Tamaraws, and UST-Cafe Aurora.
The league is scheduled to commence on January 19 at either the Paco Arena in Manila or the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Each team will be allowed one foreign player, with a maximum of two Filipino-foreigners, and a limit of two national team players per squad. The WMPBL aims to create a competitive landscape, complete with unpredictable games, as a tribute to the unpredictability in WNBA and UAAP games.
The WMPBL envisions becoming a professional league by mid-2025, starting its first regular season from June to December, following a trial run in January. Commissioner Ong, a seasoned coach with experience leading various women's teams in the country, has long been an advocate for women's sports in the Philippines. Her decision to take on the commissioner role was driven by her desire to uplift women's basketball.
"From being just an athlete, then a coach, and now a commissioner of a women's league, this is a dream come true," Ong stated, filled with a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.
"The Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) aspires to capitalize on the 'Caitlin Clark effect' to boost women's basketball in the Philippines, as Commissioner Haydee Ong declared."
"Emulating Caitlin Clark's impact, WMPBL believes in the potential of Filipino women hoopers to stir excitement and attract more interest to the local league, akin to the surge seen in global women's basketball."
