Haydee Ong takes on new role as WMPBL commissioner
MANILA, Philippines – A pillar in the Philippine women’s basketball scene, Haydee Ong is venturing into a new role as commissioner of the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL).
The new league, which will tip off on January 19, 2025, at the FilOil Eco Oil Centre in San Juan, will feature eight teams — four from the UAAP and four club teams.
“It’s not going to be a burden, because my love for women’s basketball is the reason why I accepted the offer,” Ong, who also coaches the UST Growling Tigresses in the UAAP, told reporters in Filipino.
“That’s why I accepted the offer, to give a new platform for women’s basketball after college.”
A former UST varsity player, Ong has enjoyed a successful coaching career, calling the shots for the women’s national team, Enderun Colleges, Ateneo, and UST.
Now in her seventh season at the helm as head coach of Tigresses, which is out to defend its UAAP title after punching its Final Four ticket for the sixth straight time.
The Tigresses, at 9-1, hold the second-best record in the league, behind the undefeated NU Lady Bulldogs (9-0).
Both teams will clash in another finals rematch on Wednesday, November 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In her inaugural season as chief of the WMPBL, Ong will concentrate on officiating.
“Hopefully, we can get more female referees and train them as early as November to really be ingrained in officiating training,” said Ong.
“I don’t want them to have the same complaints I have here [in the UAAP], I want the women to play and showcase their skills.”
She is confident that boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, the founder of the league, will continue to support the grassroots initiative, and another pathway towards the Gilas Women program.
UST, her UAAP employer, threw Ong its full support.
“Father Rodel (Cansancio, IPEA head), texted and congratulated me, saying that UST is behind [me], all for women’s basketball,” she said.
“This is not only for UST anymore, as this is a big picture thing since they could have a career after college.”
With UST joining the WMPBL, Ong will not coach the Tigresses, leaving the duty to her deputies Arsenio Dysangco and Allana Lim. – Rappler.com