There is a need to come up with more local 3×3 basketball competitions for women.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy stressed the importance of putting up as many domestic leagues as possible right before the start of Manila Hustle 3×3, which is in its second season.
“It’s very important. Even before we go to international meets, we need to provide our clubs with local tournaments,” said Dy.
The Gilas Pilipinas Women, previously known as the Lady MacBeth Riots when they won the crown last year, will be back with Camille Clarin, Mikka Cacho, Tin Cayabyab and new player Monique del Carmen.
There will be other local teams seeded with national players.
This includes Uratex Dream, with Kaye Pingol in the roster, along with Chinese reinforcement Renzhu Li.
“These domestic tournaments will help them continue to operate as a club. Otherwise, they will just to international tournaments, once or twice a year,” added Dy.
Uratex Tibay will have Afril Bernardino and Spanish dazzler Ari Geli, while the Titans will be buoyed by Thai star Supavadee Kunchuan playing with national cagers Jhazmin Joso and Katrina Guytingco.
The other local clubs are Discovery Perlas, Bluefire LPG, and Army Altama.
Last year’s semifinalist Dinoman Hansol of Korea will be around with Kim Dunarang as the skipper.
They will be among the favorites with Japanese teams Tokyo Dime, Owls.EXE, and Zoos Tokyo of world no. 25 Aoi Katsura.
There’s also the Shoot It Dragons of Thailand and Jumpshot of Singapore, while Korean team Unicle, Royals Basketball of Australia, and Shiv Nadar School of India are playing for the first time.