Women to play in PBA All-Star Weekend for the first time

For the first time in history, female basketball players will be part of this year's PBA All-Star weekend festivities which begin on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

A women's five-on-five game will be held on Sunday, where select players from the PBA Women's 3x3 Tournament will duke it out just before the main attraction North vs South All-Stars.

Players welcomed the development as a huge step forward for women's basketball in the Philippines, which currently does not have a professional league.

"It's really a big deal for us playing in the All-Star weekend kasi it's an exposure for us," said Sarah Mercado, who plays for TNT Katropa. "It's a sneak peek on what the future of women's basketball will be."

The women's 3x3 tournament is currently being held between PBA games on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The games are not televised and are only 10 minutes long, but Mercado said it is better than nothing and definitely a step in the right direction.

"Thankful kami kasi kahit papaano napakinggan nila 'yung battle cry namin," Mercado said. "After college days, wala nang professional league where we could take our talents into the next level."

She added that there are many talented female players in the country who are only waiting for the chance to show their worth in a professional setting.

"We never stopped hoping," she said. "We're hoping na sana ma-recognize din kami and masuportahan eventually." —JST, GMA News