{{Short description|Professional women's basketball league in the Philippines}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Use Philippine English|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox sports league | title = Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) | current_season = | last_season = | upcoming_season = 2026 WMPBL season | logo = Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League logo.png | logo_size = 180px | sport = Basketball | founded = {{start date and age|2024|11|24}} | founder = [[Manny Pacquiao]] | inaugural = | coo = | commissioner = [[Mau Belen]] | motto = ''Ang Liga Ng Bawat Pilipina'' <br> {{lit|The League of Every Filipina}} | teams = 6 | country = [[Philippines]] | headquarters = [[Pasig]] | continent = [[FIBA Asia]] ([[Asia]]) | champion = {{nowrap|Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire {{small|(1st title)}}}} | most_champs = [[Pilipinas Aguilas]] <br> Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire {{nowrap|{{small|(1 title each)}}}} | TV = [[Solar Sports]] }}
The '''Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League''' ('''WMPBL''') is a women's professional [[basketball]] league in the [[Philippines]] consisting of six teams. It serves as the women's counterpart of the [[Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]] (MPBL).
The league launched in November 2024 by boxing legend and former Senator [[Manny Pacquiao]] and is the fourth league to bear the ''Maharlika Pilipinas'' name. The WMPBL first began play as an amateur league in January 2025 with an invitational tournament. The league then turned pro in April, becoming the second women's basketball league in the country to do so, after the [[Women's National Basketball League (Philippines)|Women's National Basketball League]]. Its first pro season then began in June.
== History ==
=== Previous attempts === {{See also|Women's Philippine Basketball League|Pinay Ballers League|Women's National Basketball League (Philippines)|Women's PBA 3x3}} There have been multiple attempts at establishing a women's professional basketball league in the Philippines prior to the WMPBL. The first was the [[Women's Philippine Basketball League]], which ran from 1998 to 1999, and again in 2008.<ref name="wnblrole">{{cite news |last1=Lising |first1=Charmie |title=WNBL's role in pushing for gender equality in sports |url=https://tv5.espn.com/basketball/story/_/id/29771355/wnbl-role-pushing-gender-equality-sports |accessdate=August 31, 2020 |work=ESPN5 |date=August 31, 2020}}</ref> The [[Pinay Ballers League]] followed in 2014 which gained the support of the [[Philippine Sports Commission]].<ref name="Spin 1">{{cite news |url=http://www.spin.ph/basketball/news/philippine-ballers-league-womens-basketball-league-arayi-perlas-pilipinas|title=Finally, a post-college opportunity for women basketball players as Pinay Ballers League takes off |publisher=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=October 20, 2014 |access-date=February 24, 2016}}</ref> Additionally, the [[Philippine Basketball Association]] (PBA) hosted [[Women's PBA 3x3|women's 3x3 basketball]] on two separate occasions, the first from 2015 to 2016 and the second in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=PBA launches Women's 3x3 Challenge |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/pba/110025-pba-launches-womens-3x3-tournament/ |access-date=7 June 2018 |work=Rappler |date=20 October 2015}}</ref><ref name=pba23>{{cite web |title=Invitational WPBA 3x3 set Jan. 22 |url=https://www.pba.ph/news/invitational-wpba-3x3-set-jan-22 |publisher=Philippine Basketball Association |access-date=12 January 2024 |language=en |date=12 January 2024}}</ref>
The first of these leagues to gain professional status was the [[Women's National Basketball League (Philippines)|Women's National Basketball League]], which was established in 2019 and turned professional a year later. At the time of the WMPBL's establishment, its most recent season was held in 2022.<ref name=firesoff>[https://www.bworldonline.com/nbl-womens-league-fires-off-this-weekend/ NBL women’s league fires off this weekend], Michael Angelo S. Murillo, [[Business World]] Online, April 5, 2019</ref><ref>[https://www.philstar.com/sports/2020/08/26/2038008/first-womens-pro-league-philippines-gets-gab-nod First women’s pro league in Philippines gets GAB nod], Joey Villar, [[The Philippine Star]], August 26, 2020</ref>
=== Establishment and launch === {{See also|Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League#History}}
Following the success of the [[Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]], [[Manny Pacquiao]] expanded on its grassroots format by creating new leagues under the ''Maharlika Pilipinas'' name. After the launch of the Junior MPBL in June 2023, Pacquiao founded the [[Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association]] in October that year, the first to feature female athletes. Reports of a direct women's counterpart were first published in October 2024, when [[Haydee Ong]], head coach of the [[UST Growling Tigers, Tigresses, Tiger Cubs and Tigress Cubs|UST Growling Tigresses]] basketball team, accepted an offer to become the league's inaugural commissioner.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Matel |first=Philip |date=2024-10-28 |title=Haydee Ong takes on new role as WMPBL commissioner |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/haydee-ong-new-role-commissioner-women-maharlika-pilipinas-basketball-league/ |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morales |first=Luisa |date=2024-10-28 |title=For love of women's basketball, UST's Haydee Ong takes on commissioner role in WMPBL |url=https://www.onesports.ph/uaap/article/25839/for-love-of-women-s-basketball-ust-s-haydee-ong-takes-on-commissioner-role-in-wmpbl |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=onesports.ph |language=en}}</ref>
The league formally launched on November 24, 2024 at the Winford Hotel in [[Manila]], with Ong stating that "women's basketball now has evolved into a more exciting brand compared to the previous era", alluding to the [[Caitlin Clark effect]] seen in the [[United States]]. Although the league initially targeted eight to ten teams for the start of league play, fourteen ended up turning in. The league would begin as an amateur league for the Invitational Tournament before transitioning to professional status by mid-2025, during which it is expected to run its first full season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morales |first=Luisa |date=2025-01-19 |title=Manny Pacquiao heralds historic WMPBL, tells Filipina ballers: 'It's your time to shine' |url=https://www.onesports.ph/more-sports/article/28174/manny-pacquiao-heralds-historic-wmpbl-tells-filipina-ballers-it-s-your-time-to-shine |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=onesports.ph |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Morales |first=Luisa |date=2024-11-25 |title='Liga ng Bawa't Pilipina': What to expect from the inaugural WMPBL tournament |url=https://www.onesports.ph/more-sports/article/26637/liga-ng-bawat-pilipina-what-to-expect-from-the-inaugural-wmpbl-tournament?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3NxJb2a9rxiFDILrcJS_EqbnzjlE8tRv1HBwxPk_vcShQfHBMfh4Q22pw_aem_pvCUDTiP8lKfIQAJGHWdeA |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=onesports.ph |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Dongiapon |first=Rob Andrew |date=2024-11-25 |title=WMPBL aims to bring 'Caitlin Clark effect' in PH women's basketball |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/wmpbl-aims-bring-caitlin-clark-effect-philippine-women-basketball/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref>
{{Multiple image | perrow = 2 | total_width = 400 | image1 = Jcpicsü1780.jpg | image2 = Rizal Memorial Coliseum - MPBL 2025.jpg | footer = [[Quadricentennial Pavilion]] (left) hosted the WMPBL's first games during the 2025 Invitational on January 19. [[Rizal Memorial Coliseum]] (right) hosted the league's first games as a pro league on June 29, 2025. }}
The league began play with the [[2025 WMPBL Invitational Tournament|Invitational Tournament]] on January 19, 2025 at the [[Quadricentennial Pavilion]] on the campus of the [[University of Santo Tomas]] in [[Sampaloc, Manila]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Matthew |date=2025-01-18 |title=Kent Pastrana, UST open WMPBL campaign against Allana Lim, Discovery |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/kent-pastrana-ust-open-wmpbl-campaign-against-allana-lim-discovery/325149 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-01-13 |title=Palit na ba ng career? Terrence Romeo pinasok coaching |trans-title=Career change? Terrence Romeo enters coaching |url=https://www.abante.com.ph/2025/01/13/palit-na-ba-ng-career-terrence-romeo-pinasok-coaching/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Abante News |language=TL}}</ref> It concluded on April 23 with the [[Pilipinas Aguilas]] defeating the [[UST Growling Tigers, Tigresses, Tiger Cubs and Tigress Cubs|UST Growling Tigresses]]. The next day, the league announced its transition to a professional league.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-04-24 |title=WMPBL turns pro after Aguilas outlast UST for inaugural season crown |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/women-maharlika-pilipinas-basketball-league-turns-pro-after-pilipinas-aguilas-ust-tigresses-finals/ |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-24 |title=WMPBL to turn pro amid successful maiden season |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2025/04/24/2438031/wmpbl-turn-pro-amid-successful-maiden-season |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref>
The league's first professional season started on June 29, 2025 at the [[Rizal Memorial Coliseum]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Batangas, Quezon City book opening-day WMPBL wins |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2025/06/30/2454474/batangas-quezon-city-book-opening-day-wmpbl-wins |access-date=17 November 2025 |work=The Philippine Star |date=30 June 2025}}</ref> Five out of fourteen Invitational teams remained, now with a location attached to each. An expansion team, RK Hoops–Quezon City was also added, bringing the league to six teams.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Morales |first=Luisa |date=2025-06-22 |title=WMPBL flaunts six-team cast in first professional season |url=https://onesports.ph/more-sports/article/33195/wmpbl-flaunts-six-team-cast-in-first-professional-season |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=onesports.ph |language=en}}</ref> New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas won the season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dannug |first1=Jonash |title=New Zealand Bluefire sweeps way to inaugural WMPBL crown |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/new-zealand-bluefire-sweeps-way-to-inaugural-wmpbl-crown/356463 |access-date=17 November 2025 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=16 November 2025}}</ref>
Ahead of the second professional season in 2026, key officials of the WMPBL resigned from their role ledy by Haydee Ong due to "irreconciliable differences".<ref>{{cite news |title=WMPBL facing major setback as key officials resign before season start |url=https://www.dugout.ph/2026/04/wmpbl-facing-major-setback-as-key.html |access-date=6 April 2026 |work=Dugout Philippines |date=6 April 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dannug |first1=Jonash |title=Haydee Ong resigns as WMPBL commissioner citing 'irreconcilable differences' |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/haydee-ong-resigns-as-wmpbl-commissioner-citing-irreconcilable-differences/370810 |access-date=6 April 2026 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=5 April 2026}}</ref>
== Teams == The inaugural professional WMPBL season features six teams, all based in [[Luzon]]. [[Calabarzon]] has the most teams out of any region with three followed by [[Metro Manila]] with two and the [[Ilocos Region]] with one.
=== Current teams === <div style="overflow-x: auto"> {| style="margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto" |- <!-- Luzon --> | <!-- Metro Manila --> | |} </div>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left" |+ Overview of WMPBL teams |- ! Team ! Location ! Joined ! Head coach |- ! Akari Sparks | [[Rizal (province)|Rizal]] | align=center | [[2026 WMPBL season|2026]] | [[Derrick Pumaren]] |- ! Batangas New Zealand Bluefire | [[Batangas]] | align=center | [[2025 WMPBL Invitational Tournament|2025]] | {{sortname|Pocholo|Villanueva}} |- ! Biñan Tatak Gel Angels | [[Biñan, Laguna]] | align=center | [[2026 WMPBL season|2026]] | Jack Azcueta |- ! Caloocan Lady Kankaloo | [[Caloocan]] | align=center | [[2026 WMPBL season|2026]] | JP Bernal |- ! RK Hoops–Quezon City | [[Quezon City]] | align=center | [[2025 WMPBL season|2025]] | Jon Cobarrubias |- ! Pasig Queenpin | [[Pasig]] | align=center | [[2026 WMPBL season|2026]] | Kyle Umengan |}
=== Invitational teams === The following teams took part in the Invitational tournament, preceding the 2025 season.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left" ! Team ! Affiliation |- ! [[CEU Scorpions|CEU Lady Scorpions]] | [[Centro Escolar University]] |- ! EZ Jersey–Relentless | EZ Jersey <br> Relentless Basketball |- ! [[FEU Tamaraws and Lady Tamaraws|FEU Lady Tamaraws]] | [[Far Eastern University]] |- ! Galeries Tower Skyrisers | Galeries Tower |- ! Imus Lady Magdalo | [[Imus|Imus, Cavite]] |- ! Philippine Navy Lady Sailors | [[Philippine Navy]] |- ! [[Pilipinas Aguilas]] | {{n/a|''None''}} |- ! PSP Gymers | PSP Fitness Gym |- ! [[UST Growling Tigers, Tigresses, Tiger Cubs and Tigress Cubs|UST Growling Tigresses]] | [[University of Santo Tomas]] |}
=== Former teams === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left" |- ! Team ! Locality ! First season ! Last season |- ! Discovery Perlas Rizal | [[Rizal (province)|Rizal]] | align=center | [[2025 WMPBL Invitational Tournament|2025]] | align=center | [[2025 WMPBL season|2025]] |- ! Pangasinan Solar Home Suns | [[Pangasinan]] | align=center | [[2025 WMPBL Invitational Tournament|2025]] | align=center | [[2025 WMPBL season|2025]] |- ! San Juan DN Steel Lady Knights | [[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan]] | align=center | [[2025 WMPBL Invitational Tournament|2025]] | align=center | [[2025 WMPBL season|2025]] |- ! [[Tagaytay 'Tol Patriots]] | [[Tagaytay, Cavite]] | align=center | [[2025 WMPBL Invitational Tournament|2025]] | align=center | [[2025 WMPBL season|2025]] |}
== Roster regulations == All players on team rosters must be at least 21 years old. Teams will also be able to have one import and up to two Filipino-foreigner players. In addition, each team is limited to two players who play for the [[Philippines women's national basketball team]].<ref name=":2" />
== Season format == === 2025 === All six teams compete in a double [[round-robin tournament]]. Each team plays two games against all other teams, for a total of ten games. All teams automatically advance to the playoffs, but their ranking in the regular season standings determine where their placement in the bracket. The top two teams will start at the semifinals while the third- and fourth-place teams will hold [[twice-to-beat advantage]] over the fifth- and sixth-place teams in the quarterfinals.<ref name=":4" /> The semifinals and finals are [[best-of-three series]].
=== Invitational === The league divides the teams into two groups: Group A and Group B. Each team will play one game against each team from the opposing group, for a total of seven games for each team. The top four teams in each group will advance to the playoffs, with the top two earning twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. The semifinals and finals will both be best-of-three series.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-01-17 |title=WMPBL kickoff gives Philippine women's basketball big lift |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/wmpbl-kickoff-gives-philippine-women-basketball-big-lift/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Championships == {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" ! Team ! Win !! Loss !! Total ! Year(s) won !! Year(s) lost |- | align=left | New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas | 1 || 0 || 1 | align=left | [[2025 WMPBL season|2025]] | align=center | — |- | align=left | [[Pilipinas Aguilas]] | 1 || 0 || 1 | align=left | [[2025 WMPBL Invitational Tournament|2025 (Inv.)]] | align=center | — |- | align=left | Discovery–Perlas | 0 || 1 || 1 | align=center | — | align=left | [[2025 WMPBL season|2025]] |- | align=left | [[UST Growling Tigers, Tigresses, Tiger Cubs and Tigress Cubs|UST Growling Tigresses]] | 0 || 1 || 1 | align=center | — | align=left | [[2025 WMPBL Invitational Tournament|2025 (Inv.)]] |}
== Media == The WMPBL's current broadcast partner is [[Solar Entertainment Corporation]] under [[Solar Sports]]. The network currently airs the games on Wednesdays and Sundays. Similar to other ''Maharlika Pilipinas'' leagues, all games are also streamed on the league's social media channels.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-06-22 |title=WMPBL tips off pro era with six teams |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/wmpbl-tips-off-pro-era-with-six-teams/340592 |access-date=2025-06-29 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}</ref> During the Invitational Tournament, the league's broadcast partner was the [[Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation]] (IBC), which previously broadcast the [[2021 MPBL Invitational]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-17 |title=Inaugural Women's MPBL tips off with 14 teams |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/inaugural-women-s-mpbl-tips-off-with-14-teams-a1373-20250117 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref> == Commissioners == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! rowspan=2 | No. ! rowspan=2 | Commissioner ! colspan=2 | Tenure |- ! From !! To |- | 1 | {{sortname|Haydee|Ong}}|| {{dts|2024|10}}<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Valencia |first1=Justin |title=Haydee Ong aims to elevate women's basketball as WMPBL commissioner |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/haydee-ong-aims-to-elevate-womens-basketball-as-wmpbl-commissioner/317829 |access-date=27 October 2024 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=27 October 2024}}</ref> || {{dts|2026|04|05}} |- | 2 | {{sortname|Mau|Belen}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ramos |first1=Gerry |title=Mau Belen takes over as WMPBL commissioner after Haydee Ong exit |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/mau-belen-takes-over-as-wmpbl-commissioner-after-haydee-ong-exit-a793-20260409 |access-date=9 April 2026 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |date=9 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref> || {{dts|2026|04}} || ''incumbent'' |}
== See also == * [[Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]] – the league's men's counterpart * [[Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association]] – the league's [[volleyball]] counterpart
== References == {{reflist}}
{{WMPBL}} {{Navboxes|list1= {{Sports leagues in the Philippines}} {{Basketball in the Philippines}} {{Women's basketball leagues}} {{Metro Manila Sports}} {{Maharlika Pilipinas leagues}} {{Manny Pacquiao}} }}
[[Category:Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League| ]] [[Category:Women's basketball leagues in the Philippines]] [[Category:National basketball leagues|Philippines]] [[Category:Sports leagues established in 2024]] [[Category:2024 establishments in the Philippines]] [[Category:Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]] [[Category:Professional sports leagues in the Philippines]]