HomeGood SportPBA makes history with debut of first female referee

PBA makes history with debut of first female referee

Cypher Learning
Cypher Learning

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) opened the Governor’s Cup with its first-ever female referee officiating the season’s first game between Phoenix and Meralco.

Janine Nicandro
Janine Nicandro [via PBA]

Janine Nicandro, one of two PBA lady referees, made her first appearance on the PBA hard court just days after the basketball league announced the introduction of women referees in games.

Twenty three year-old Nicandro trained for three years in the Developmental League before being promoted as PBA games official.

The lady referee is a Marketing graduate of Laguna State Polytechnic University where she also played four years of varsity basketball, according to the PBA announcement.

Nicandro, who hails from Pagsanjan, Laguna told media, it was former PBA referee and province-mate Celso Rivera who encouraged her to take up the career of a PBA official.

Nicandro also admitted she felt nervous officiating her first PBA game, admitting feeling pressured from the players. “Napressure din po sa players pero kailangan ko pong ma-overcome yun.”

PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa said, "I'm very glad that she gave a good account of herself."

"We have to empower also the women, we have to give them respect. I think they've done a lot of progress," the league’s chief said. "We have to recognize that."

Narvasa shared having female referees such as Nicandro is in line with this thrust to improve the officiating in the league.

Facebook Comments
The Good News Pilipinas Team
The Good News Pilipinas Team
The Good News Pilipinas Team is a group of Filipino journalists who advocate putting more good news stories about the Philippines and Filipinos on the media.

Get Your Dose of Good Vibes!

Power Up Your Positivity! Catch all the Good-Vibes! Join the GoodNewsPilipinas.com VIP list and get your daily dose of sunshine and Pinoy Pride! Unwrap stories that put Filipino awesomeness in your life! CLICK the subscribe button for our e-newsletter and turn your inbox into a fiesta of feel-good news! Inspire your day, fuel your pride! 🇵🇭✨

- Advertisment -

Top Stories