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    Filipina cagers continue to call for formation of women's league

    Jack Animam, Filipina ballers continue to call for formation of women's league
    Jul 15, 2020
    PHOTO: UAAP | NBL-Pilipinas on Facebook

    JACK Animam is set to spread her wings abroad.

    Yet for the Gilas Pilipinas Women center, as much as she's garnering recognition and developing her game internationally, there's really no place like home.

    And to Animam, her callup as an import for Shih Hsin University in Taiwan further underscores the Philippines' need to have a professional women's league of its own.

    "Sobrang gusto talaga namin magkaroon ng women’s league dito sa atin kasi there’s so much talent talaga," the former UAAP MVP told So She Did.

    "It’s just that there’s no avenue to show that to the people and sayang kasi we have to go overseas pa just to play. Eh kung puwede sana dito na lang sa atin, di ba?"

    The call for the formation of a women's league has long been the Filipino women ballers' struggle -- which is kind of surprising for a country which prides itself as basketball-crazy.

    Filipinas have proven time and again that they can be among the best in the region, if not in the continent, with the Philippines staying in the top-tier of Fiba Asia for the past half-decade as well as its triumph in both the 5-on-5 and 3x3 basketball in the 30th Southeast Asian Games last year.

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    Half a year later, and the fight continues.

    Having that women's league, no matter how small it is, will go ways if operated correctly as it gives players something to move up to after their collegiate days.

    "Kailangan natin ng kahit maliit na professional league for women," said three-time UAAP MVP Afril Bernardino. "Syempre after college, wala tayong mapupuntahan. Paano naman yung mga tulad natin na mahilig sa basketball? Kumbaga passion na natin yung basketball eh, paano na after ng college? Wala na tayong pupuntahan."

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      The former National University standout further elaborated: "Kahit hindi man siya katulad ng PBA, at least meron tayo nung women’s basketball league sa Pilipinas na malilibang tayo at maipagpapatuloy natin yung passion natin sa basketball."

      For now, Bernardino is plying her trade in the amateur Women's National Basketball League as a star for the Cleon and Clyde Lady Snipers.

      Far Eastern University center Clare Castro agreed, noting that it also extends the opportunities for women to improve their game after their careers as amateurs.

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      "Hindi naman lahat nakakapag-RP Team. Maraming nasasayang na talents kasi wala ng league after college kasi hindi naman lahat nakakasama sa international games," she said. "Tulad sa Taiwan, meron silang professional league at meron silang national team. Mas nai-improve nila siguro yung teamwork nila."

      Also, it would allow those who have played in Gilas Women and served as imports overseas to share their knowledge through playing against other local talents.

      Iron sharpens iron, after all.

      "There are just so much talent out in the Philippines and so many amazing female basketball players that are not getting the recognition that they deserve," said Ateneo guard Trina Guytingco.

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      "We go to the same process as men. We practice every single day, we work out, and we go through the same mental and physical pain. So I think it’s only fair that we should have a league as well."

      It also gives the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) a chance widen its scope when it comes to the selection of national team players and not limiting themselves to those who emerge in the collegiate ranks or those Fil-foreign talents who are recruited overseas.

      That, to Animam, is the league's biggest benefit.

      "Mas widened yung pagpipilian sa pool for the national team," she said.

      For now, though, the struggle continues.

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      PHOTO: UAAP | NBL-Pilipinas on Facebook
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