SAMAHANG Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has taken action, engaging UAAP for a dialogue on the heels of its procedural change that led to a pay gap for referees officiating men's and women's games.
In a statement on Saturday, the national federation said it has opened a discourse with the collegiate league "on how to improve the situation for all stakeholders."
"Both organizations stay committed to making the sport as inclusive as possible and advancing women's basketball in the Philippines," the statement continued.
SPIN.ph first reported the pay gap in Season 88, with the UAAP paying P3,000 per game for referees assigned to men's games, P2,500 for boys, and P2,000 for women's and girls.
This is a deviation from the P2,500 across the board pay for all divisions in past seasons.
As expected, the league caught flak from advocates of women's basketball, as this move seemingly made women's games as somewhat of a stepping stone for game officials to be called up for men's games.
READ: UAAP coaches bat for equal pay for referees calling women's games
"The SBP also implores our stakeholders to stay united in this front. We can only elevate Philippine basketball to its highest levels if we grow it for everyone," the statement ended.
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