CAVITE TOL PATRIOTS UNVEIL LINEUP (L-R) Team owner Senator Francis 鈥楾OL鈥� Tolentino, Coach Mandell Martirez, and players Bernice Paraiso, Erika May Jimenez, and Jaina Del Prado.
Opening opportunities for Filipina athletes to showcase their skills is a form of empowerment and will greatly benefit the growth of women鈥檚 sports, said Sen. Francis Tolentino.
The senator unveiled the partial lineup of the Cavite TOL Patriots, which will compete in the inaugural tournament of the Women鈥檚 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) starting January next year.
鈥淯nlike men鈥檚 basketball, there are limited opportunities for women ballers. By giving them this chance to play in a national women鈥檚 professional league, we are empowering them, and at the same time, helping the growth of women鈥檚 basketball in the country,鈥� said Tolentino, team owner of the Cavite TOL Patriots.
The senator was seconded by team member Erika May Jimenez, 24, who played for the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
鈥淎s female athletes, we seek equal opportunities. We are ready to prove that we can play. What male basketball players can do, we can do as well,鈥� stressed Jimenez.
Players of the Cavite TOL Patriots, which will compete in the inaugural tournament of the Women鈥檚 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League in January next year.
For her part, Bernice Paraiso, 25, who played for the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers, also in the UAAP said: 鈥淲e are very grateful for this opportunity. We hope to inspire the younger generation that after playing in college, female basketball players can continue to compete in a pro league.鈥�
The senator鈥檚 son, Tagaytay Councilor Micko Tolentino, who will be the team鈥檚 general manager, said they will talk with the WMPBL leadership about the squad鈥檚 home games being held in Dasmarinas City and Tagaytay City.
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鈥淲e have homegrown players and we would like to see our team being cheered on by our kababayans,鈥� said the younger Tolentino.
The squad will be mentored by Coach Mandell Martirez, son of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend Rosalio 鈥榊oyong鈥� Martirez. 鈥淪ince our team was just recently formed, we need to catch up to improve our system by holding practices and as many tuneup games as possible.鈥�
The senator鈥檚 other sons, Patrick Andrei and Jeb Tolentino, will be the team鈥檚 assistant manager and director of player personnel, respectively.
Tagaytay Councilor Micko Tolentino (center, wearing cap), the senator鈥檚 eldest son, is the general manager of the Cavite TOL Patriots.
Here is the partial lineup of聽the Cavite 鈥楾OL鈥� Patriots:
鈥rika May Jimenez, 24, UP Diliman
鈥ernice Paraiso, 25, DLSU
鈥aina Del Prado, 23, FEU
鈥endi Casinillo, 24, UPHSL
鈥aliana Marie Aldaya, 23, DLSU-D
鈥ionna Mikee Gonato, 26, UPHSL
鈥iane Reyes, 27, DLSU-D
鈥oneylyn Caringal, 20, PCU Manila
鈥agdaliowi Flores, 21, PCU Manila
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