WMPBL flaunts six-team cast in first professional season

Six teams will vie for the crown as the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) will play its first professional season beginning June 29, marking a milestone for women’s basketball in the Philippines.

After a successful invitational tournament to kick things off earlier this year, the WMPBL will commence its 2025 regular season with five returning teams from the initial joust, and one additional squad — all of which are tied with LGUs.

Discovery-Rizal Perlas, New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas Valkyries, San Juan Lady Knights, Tagaytay-Tol Patriots, and Solar-Pangasinan Home Suns are the holdovers from the invitational tournament.

RK Hoops-Quezon City is the newcomer, completing the six-team cast that will compete in a double-round robin.

The invitational’s finalists — champions Pilipinas Aguilas and runners-up UST Growling Tigresses, will not be competing as the league no longer allows amateur and collegiate teams and players.

The lengthy season will see the top two teams will automatically advance to the semifinals while the third and fourth seeded squads will hold a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals against the fifth and sixth-ranked teams.

The semifinals and Finals will be played in a best-of-three format.

“The first tournament we had was about creating a community and a home for both upstart players and veterans. Now, we will start with six pro teams, which were carefully vetted by our technical team headed by Commissioner Haydee Ong,” said WMPBL President John Kallos.

“The goal this time is that all teams and the league are sustainable for our team owners and players."

In an effort to be more sustainable and “long-term home” for women’s basketball players in the country, the league is leaning on support from corporate sponsors, like Uratex, Black Mamba, Red Dynasty, Aktive Balls, and Pocari Sweat.

Opening day will be played at the historic Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.