HAYDEE Ong has a higher calling other than winning championships for the University of Santo Tomas.
She wants to raise the quality of play and popularity of women’s basketball.
“That’s what I’m here for, kaya hindi pa ako nag-reretire. I really wanted women’s basketball to be as popular as women’s volleyball, ‘di ba?” said the UST coach shortly after leading the Tigresses to their first UAAP championship in 17 years.
“Unti-unti, they’re seeing how good women basketball players are playing right now. In fact, maraming mga lalaking nanonood din because they really are impressed with what women’s basketball is capable of.”
Her ultimate dream is to have a professional women’s basketball league that could serve as a pathway for collegiate players.
A member of the UST team that won championships from 1987 to 1990, Ong has come a long way since making the transition to coaching. She became head coach from 2008 to 2014 and returned to UST in 2016.
“When I was here in 2016, I have three months before the UAAP, I’m telling you di ako makatawid ng bola sa NU, ang lamang nila parati sa 'kin, sisenta, otsenta, okay? But I never gave up,” Ong recalled.
“Sabi ko, I will start the program for UST and this is a long journey. We are what? Three, four years behind, sinabi ko sa mga pari and you have to trust the program, the system, and finally, the long wait is over.
"Ang sarap ng feeling, especially as coach.”
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