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University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is launching girls basketball as a demonstration sports in Season 82.
The game will coincide with the boys tournament opening in the league on October 26.
"It's long overdue for the UAAP to have a basketball tournament for the girls," UAAP Executive Director Wednesday Saguisag said.
The participating schools that participated were Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle-Zobel, University of Santo Tomas, and Adamson University.
The league leadership expects the organization to help develop basketball in and through the rapid transition of female players from junior to collegiate.
“This is very important for the development of our women's players. Schools want to recruit girls out of high school who are already fundamentally sound, ”said Ateneo Representative to the Board Erika Dy, former coach of the Ateneo Lady Eagles in 2013-2015.
"Without a Girls' Division, there is not much interest from young dreamers to begin with at that level."
The league also wants to help the Philippine Basketball Association find talent for the Girls' National Team.
“Having a Girls’ Division is consistent with the UAAP’s mission to provide a training ground for our future national athletes. As much as the college teams will benefit from this, it's really our Gilas Women's Team that will reap fruits from it in the future, ”Dy said.
“It's a big step forward for women's basketball. In the ASEAN region, we really need the exposure on the women's side, ”said UAAP Basketball Commissioner Jensen Ilagan.
Ilagan will help lead the Girls' Basketball event by first league female Deputy Commissioner Ms. Edith Boticario.
Boticario, who has a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Wellness from the University of Makati, is a FIBA-licensed official and former PBA referee.
"This is a testament to the league's commitment to inclusiveness," Saguisag said.
