Caitlin Clark mania hits Manila as Philippine women's basketball makes major announcement

The 2024 WNBA season witnessed the Caitlin Clark effect sweep the globe as the former Iowa Hawkeye went from a collegiate star to one of the most well-known basketball players globally. With Bill Simmons recently dubbing Clark the biggest star in basketball under 30, it's clear that her star power can't be denied.

From the sounds of things, the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, a new local league tipping off in January, hopes to capture some of the Caitlin Clark effect. Ahead of the first-ever WMPBL tournament, commissioner Haydee Ong said that they hope to bring the Caitlin Clark effect to the Philippines.

In a statement relayed to Rappler.com from the league's introductory press conference last weekend in Manila, Ong spoke about the increasing popularity of women's basketball.

“We want to bring over the Caitlin Clark effect here," Ong said. "I think women’s basketball now has evolved into a more exciting brand compared to the previous era. I’ve seen and felt it in the UAAP. I think that is where the boom of the WNBA started too, [at the collegiate level].

"So we want to use that and give the sport a boost here in our country. The women now have proven that they can do what men have been doing in the sport. We have seen alley-oops now and players who are shooting long three-pointers. So when fans see that, I think they would be interested in watching."

Of course, the big question is whether the league will be able to find a star to attract viewers the same way Clark has with the WNBA. While the league has had plenty of talented players in the past, Clark has taken things to the next level.

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Looking at the details of the all-new WMPBL Championship hoping to capitalize on Caitlin Clark's star power

As previously mentioned, the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is set to tip off on Jan 19. The Paco Arena in Manila and the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City are both being considered as potential venues but so far nothing has been set in stone.

Initially, the tournament was looking to put together eight teams to compete. However, with the interest the WMPBL has generated with the tournament, that number has been increased to 14.

Now, five collegiate teams will compete alongside nine semi-pro teams for the first-ever WMPBL championship.

The tournament will see teams split into two groups of seven before the top performers advance to the knockout round until a winner is declared.

The teams competing are:

• Imus Lady Magdalo
• Cavite Tol Patriots
• Go for Gold-Philippine Navy Lady Sailors
• Galeries Tower
• PSP Gymers
• San Juan Lady Knights
• Solar Home Suns
• Pilipinas Aguilas
• Relentless EZ Jersey
• Discovery
• New Zealand Blue Fire
• CEU Lady Scorpions
• FEU Lady Tamaraws
• UST-Cafe Aurora