By Andrei M. Barrantes

University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) included the women’s basketball division to the streaming slate and UAAP Season 86 Collegiate Basketball Tournament Press Conference held on Wednesday, September 27, at the Coral Way Lobby, SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The women’s basketball division was also invited to the press conference for the first time with head coaches and players from the eight UAAP schools in attendance.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, FEU Lady Tamaraws head coach Bert Flores said that including the women’s basketball in the press conference is a positive development in giving the division more exposure.

“Malaking bagay [ito] kasi matagal na rin ‘yung women’s [basketball] eh parang walang exposure gaano, halos naka-focus lahat sa men’s [basketball]… Nakakatuwa para sa mga bata kasi dati wala talaga eh, halos lamok lang ang nanonood sa atin eh (This is a big thing for us because the women's division has been here for a long time but it hasn’t had the exposure the men’s did… It’s exciting for the kids because nobody really supported us before, only mosquitoes watched us),” he said.

Cignal TV also launched their new over-the-top streaming platform Pilipinas Live, which will stream the UAAP Season 86 women's basketball tournament accessible to subscribers worldwide.

FEU Lady Tamaraws team captain Jamerin Delos Santos said that streaming their upcoming games will make it possible for their relatives overseas to support them.

“Thankful din po [kami] dahil nagkakaroon na po ng equality kasi dati nga hindi masyadong kilala ang womens eh… Mas na-eexcite kami kasi kailangan namin galingan kasi madaming manonood and 'yung mga family po namin abroad is makakanood na din ng mga laban namin (We are also thankful because there is equality now. The women’s division wasn’t really that popular before… We are more excited now because we have to step up due to more viewers watching and our families abroad can now support us as well),” she stated.

Delos Santos added that including the women’s division in the press conference felt like a sign of equality for them and for future generations of UAAP women’s basketball players.

“Sobrang saya po and grateful [namin], parang na-experience din namin na ganyan po pala ang nararanasan ng boys kaya warm welcome po sa amin na baka sa susunod na mga generations po namin na magtuloy-tuloy na po ‘yung pagkakaroon nito (We are so happy and grateful to experience what the boys go through. It was a warm welcome for us and hopefully for the future generations of women’s basketball teams as well),” she added.

The Tamaraws and Lady Tamaraws will begin their respective Season 86 campaigns on Sunday, October 1 against De La Salle University (DLSU) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP)