Women basketball players get new space, dedicated time at Courtyard
MANILA, Philippines — Gone are the days when only male players see action in pickup games at the blacktop courts with the newest court in the metro out to change the game and break barriers for Filipino women’s ballers.
The Courtyard, a premier basketball court in Manila that officially opened on Friday, will have dedicated playing time just for female basketball players.
It features three courts–made of rubber from the outsoles of about 30,000 pairs of recycled shoes–including two FIBA-standard full courts and one a half-court with a free-throw line for practice shooting in its 2,182-square-meter location at the25th Street and 7th Avenue ofBonifacio Global City (BGC).
The sustainable courts, clad with bright colors and bold patterns reflecting local aesthetics designed by Kiefer “Kiefsix” Indiongco,are free and open to ballers of all levels as long as they are members of the Nike app.
The Courtyard is exclusively open for women’s basketball players every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m., aside from the daily use of the venue for everyone.
“We are basically giving dedicated time to women ballers in this court,” Jino Ferrer, Nike’s Country Marketing Manager, said. “Of course, besides every day where you can basically enjoy and book a slot. Specific to Tuesdays and Thursdays, specifically from 6 to 10 p.m. It’s specifically dedicated to female ballers.”
“That’s just one step for us to basically continue to let the female ballers know that we’re supporting them, giving them space and a platform to help grow their community,” he added.
DREAMING BIG FOR WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
La Salle Lady Archer Marga Jimenez, who is dreaming that the country would host the Fiba Women’s World Cup someday, believes that Courtyard will serve as launchpads for current and future women’s basketball players.
“Our launchpads for dreams to take flight. I have a dream, too. And I hope I speak for many other female ballers like me that one day, Manila will play host to the Women’s Basketball World Cup so the world can see the incredible talent we have here in the Philippines,” said Jimenez.
Mau Belen, the first-ever female coach in the PBA for the TNT 3×3 team, said the accessibility of the court for everyone will help continue to grow Philippine basketball.
“There is tremendous talent in our country and what our youngsters need is access to sport and the joy of sport. In the community of ballers, they find the joy of sport and here on the court, they will have access to play their favorite game,” Belen said.
Jimenez and fellow UAAP women’s basketball stars Angel Surada, Camille Clarin, and Khate Castillo bannered the unveiling of Courtyard including a one-day tournament with the four female stars being the captain of four teams consisting of influencers, media, and athletes in 4-on-4 pickup games, where University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons CJ Cansino, Gerry Abadiano, JD Cagulangan, and Terrence Fortea participated.
“It’s my first time to play here and it is more comfortable unlike the cement court,” said Cagulangan in Filipino. “And it’s for free, too. This is a big help, especially for the kids who dream of becoming basketball players someday. Because anytime you can play in this high-quality court.”
The team of Castillo and Abadiano ruled the tournament as the event also held camps for the youngsters from Girls Got Game Philippines, a non-profit organization founded by and for female athletes.
The Courtyard will also host weekly pickup runs, female-only games, and regular basketball camps for ballers of all levels, including Girls Got Game Philippines and women’s community groups.
“Having this court in the heart of Metro Manila is huge. It’s different when you play alone in your Barangay. Playing here gives you the primetime feeling like you’re a part of Filipino basketball culture,” said UAAP basketball commissioner Xavier Nunag.