IN PHOTOS: Philippine Collegiate League debuts at RTU

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Collegiate League (PCL) officially kicked off last Sunday morning, June 19, at the Rizal Technological University (RTU) Gymnasium with 3 games collegiate women’s basketball teams from around Metro Manila.

This new league is the brainchild of Philippine National Team player Merenciana “Ewon” Arayi, who had previously created another women’s basketball league in 2014, the Pinay Ballers League.

The first game was between De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines, where DLSU came away with a 5-point victory against UP, 59-54. La Salle’s Khate Castillo led all scorers with 22 points.

RTU’s Team A squared off against the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in the second game, where RTU-A destroyed PUP via an 85-41 walloping. Karlois Duazo of RTU-A led a balanced team charge with 15 points.

Cayrone Lim, the PCL tournament director, expressed his emotions following the opening. “We are excited because it is the first time we will have a league that features state universities, WNCAA schools and UAAP schools all competing in one league,” said Lim. “It is good exposure for not just women’s basketball, its schools and teams but also for women empowerment in sports as a whole.” – Rappler.com