By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Prior to the inaugural season of the Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL), the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws talked about their preparations for their debut in the national tourney tomorrow, January 19, at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila City.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, team captain MJ Manguiat highlighted their objectives for the upcoming competition.

“[Goal namin makakuha ng] more experiences, of course, and maitama namin kung saan kami nagkulang nu’ng [nakaraang UAAP] (Our goal is to gain more experience, of course, and to correct what we lacked on the previous league),” she said.

According to assistant coach Jasmine Malto Yam, the team prepared by going back to the fundamentals of the sport in order to make progress.

“We’ve noticed for the past years, we have to regress kasi doon nagsa-start ‘yung progress—we need to step back one step, so we can move forward to two steps, ‘yung kasabihan na ganu’n,” she stated.

Yam also added that exposure to the WMPBL is a chance for the team to develop maturity as a whole.

On the other hand, the green-and-gold cagebelles’ head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy will be playing as their opponent under the Discovery Perlas.

When asked about what they feel about going up against their head coach, FEU point guard Shane Salvani sees the match up as a challenge.

“It's challenging, I think, [na] makatapat isang coach mo, and good experience din, of course, [para] sa amin na ma-experience ‘yung ganung klaseng laro na against Coach Raiza (I think it's challenging to go up against your coach and of course, a good experience for us to experience playing against Coach Raiza),” she said.

Similarly, the team captain emphasized her excitement ahead of their meet as they will be going up against one of their mentors.

“Nakikita namin siya as coach here sa training and kung paano siya as a coach and as a leader namin dito, and sa WMPBL, makikita namin siya as competitor namin and ayon, alam naman po namin kung gaano ka-competitive si Coach Rai so paghahandaan din naman namin siya (We see her as a coach during training and how she is as our coach and as our leader, and in the WMPBL, we will see her as our competitor and we know how competitive Coach Rai is so we also prepared for her),” Manguiat said.

The Lady Tamaraws will be playing under Group A along with Palmera-Dy’s team, as well as Centro Escolar University Lady Scorpions, Cavite ‘Tol Patriots, Philippine Sports Performance Lady Gymers, Solar Home Suns, and Pilipinas Lady Aguilas.

Meanwhile, the EZ Jersey Relentless Basketball, Imus Lady Magdalo, San Juan Lady Knights, New Zealand Bluefire Valkyries, Philippine Navy Lady Sailors, University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses, and Galeries Tower Manila Skyrisers make up the league's Group B.

The WMPBL was founded in 2024 as a women's counterpart to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, a professional basketball tournament.

Former senator Manny Pacquiao funded both basketball leagues while former national team head tactician Haydee Ong also joined as the commissioner for the women's division.

FEU, along with three other collegiate teams, will debut in the 14-team lineup of the invitational tournament this January before the league turns professional in June.

(Photo courtesy of FEU Women’s Basketball)