Maureen Kris Belen[1] (born 1991 or 1992[2]) is a Filipino basketball coach.[3]
| TNT Triple Giga | |
|---|---|
| Position | Head coach |
| League | PBA 3x3 |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 1991 or 1992 (age 31–32) |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
| 2021–present | TNT Tropang Giga |
| 2021–present | TNT Triple Giga (3x3) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Career edit
Coaching career edit
Early years (pre-2021) edit
A former high school varsity player,[3] Belen shifted to coaching having limited options to continue her playing career as a woman. She joined coach Eric Altamirano's basketball school to hone her skills before heading to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates where she stayed for four years and worked as a youth coach for the local Filipino community there.[4]
Belen returned to the Philippines in 2017, coaching at least three teams.[4] This include the Philippine National Police women's team in 2019.[5] Her other previous employers were Assumption College and St. Paul College of Parañaque.[4]
TNT Tropang Giga assistant coach edit
In March 2021, Belen became the first female coach in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) when she was made assistant coach of the Chot Reyes-led staff of TNT Tropang Giga.[5] However, the inclusion of female staff member is not new in the history of the franchise with Debbie Tan as team manager when the team was still known as Mobiline.[1]
TNT Triple Giga head coach edit
She would also become head coach of TNT's team in the PBA 3x3.[6] TNT would win the third conference of the 2021 season under her mentorship.[7] The team, later rebranded as the TNT Triple Giga, would continue its winning streak by winning all three conferences in the 2022–23 season – the first ever grand slam in the 3x3 league's history.[7][8][9]
Sports administration edit
Belen organized sports events in Dubai.[6] She was also part of the organizing team of the basketball tournament of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines.[5]
Belen also served as tournament director of National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) which organizes tournaments for girls.[10]
Personal life edit
Belen identifies as a lesbian and presents herself as masculine.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b "A lady member of coaching staff? TnT giving the idea a chance". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. March 25, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ Caluag, Randy (November 28, 2021). "Mau Belen: Lady coach's methods work wonders for TNT". Manila Standard. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c Morales, Luisa (June 17, 2023). "How Mau Belen lets her actions silence doubters". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c Andaya, Ed (August 22, 2021). "Make way for Mau Belen, the first female coach in the PBA - Journal News". Journal News Online. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Mau Belen breaks barriers as newest TNT Tropang GIGA coaching staff member". CNN Philippines. March 30, 2021. Archived from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "'So far, so good': Players praise TNT 3x3 coach Belen". ABS-CBN News. November 17, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ a b l"TNT completes PBA 3x3 grand slam". Tiebreaker Times. February 26, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ Ramos, Gerry (February 26, 2023). "TNT completes date with history after winning PBA 3x3 grand slam". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ Clarito, Ariel Ian (April 1, 2023). "Why is Mau Belen not the Gilas Men's 3x3 head coach?". Rappler. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ Morales, Luisa (March 5, 2023). "NBTC girls hoops tiff hopes to inspire next generation of women ballers". The Philippines Star. Retrieved July 13, 2023.