MANILA, Philippines—Inspired by the performance of the women’s national squad in last year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, the Philippine Basketball League will revive during the coming season its tournament for women after 10 years.

PBL chair Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre said the league will provide the exposure that women players in the country need to raise their level of competitiveness when they compete in international tournaments.

“This is a challenge for us but very fulfilling at the same time,” Romero, who bankrolled the RP team that won the men’s basketball gold in the SEA Games last year, said at the PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue branch Tuesday.

“Our women’s national team is getting overlooked. That’s why we need our players to be exposed in the WPBL. Our target is to win the SEA Games gold, perhaps next year.”

The RP cagebelles went home with the bronze medal from the biennial games.

Commissioner Chino Trinidad said the league is eyeing five to six teams to be part of the WPBL revival, which will run alongside the regular PBL season that is expected to start Nov. 9, pending the approval of the board.

“This is a huge undertaking for us,” he said.

Trinidad said the WPBL is also open to possible tie-ups with schools, just like the men’s league where six clubs have adopted school teams for the coming conference.

He added that the PBL is eyeing a partnership with the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in sponsoring the women’s league.

The PBL is to hold open tryouts for the WPBL on Oct. 19 at the Jose Rizal University gym in Mandaluyong City. The tryout is open to players 25 years old and below.