In photo: Janine Nicandro/Banner by Scoreline.ph
Scoreline.ph Editorial Team
Exclusive: Janine Nicandro, The Journey of a PBA Referee
In 2016, Janine Nicandro shocked the basketball-crazy Filipino nation as she became the first female referee to officiate pay-for-play games in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Janine, known to basketball teams as “Referee #41”, is a proud daughter of Pagsanjan, Laguna.
In an exclusive interview with our team, Janine opened up about her referee journey - one that started when she went to Manila together with her bestfriend Marilee, who also became the league’s third-ever lady referee.
They decided to explore Manila to get out of their comfort zone and earn a better income.
“I went to Manila with Ate Mao (Marilee) Orioste. Then attend training with other female applicants…Ayeez Ceballos, Jill Santiago, Faye Tria, Jane Umali and Ma’am Edith Boticario,” she said.
Together with some other female applicants, Nicandro started going to training camps and improving her skills to climb up the ladder of success.
She first started in the PBA D-League academy in 2014 before jumping to the pro league after two years.
During her first time officiating an official PBA game, she felt different kinds of emotions and feelings.
“I was nervous, I even saw the floor like an ocean waving but I am eager and motivated to give my best. Being the first-ever PBA lady referee was a blessing as it put your name in history, so I wanted to etch a legacy by setting excellent standards as I also wanted to inspire other ladies that if I can do it, they can do also,” Janine said to Scoreline.
Nicandro also said that after the experience, she felt on cloud nine.
“I am happy and thankful that I am living my dream already but not yet fulfilled as there are more things to learn along the way.”
Janine officiated the games from the venues in Manila and other stadiums or arenas around the country when the PBA was on Tour. Not only that, she was even part of the team that was sent overseas when the league conducted a game in Dubai.
“It adds more excitement as the atmosphere is different when you are out-of-town. The reaction of the crowd is more warm and intense as they are excited to see their favorite players. And as an official you can also feel the energy,” describing her experience.
Janine was also thankful to the PBA when she was one of the officials sent to the Dubai game in 2019. That was also her first time going out of the country.
“I didn’t expect that I will be part of the pool that will be sent to Dubai. That's why I was surprised, excited and thankful when chosen. It was also my first time to travel abroad. That's why I consider this job as a blessing.”
TIME OUT
However, the constant strain of basketball took a toll on Janine’s body.
Just like players, referees are also prone to injuries and Janine was no exception. She suffered a complete ACL tear on August 18, 2023, sidelining her from action for 10 months.
Nicandro was supposed to have an operation during that month also but she delayed it as she wanted to do World Cup duties first before going under the knife.
She was assigned as the Liaison Officer during the FIBA World Cup held here in the Philippines in August 2023 where she assisted not just the Philippine team but also the delegates of the International teams.
After her WC obligations, she underwent an operation on September 19.
During her down moments, Janine’s family and friends supported all the way. It helped her cope up and dream anew.
“My mother Mercy Nicandro and my family are always there for me,” Janine says.
“Everyday, my mom always took care of whatever needs I had. Mommy Mercy and Theresa were the ones who accompanied me when I needed to go to the clinic. Ate Mao, even though retired already, still helped me and like our PBA days, she partnered with me all the way. We were really best of friends. My housemates also supported me during my recovery journey - my sister Joyce and our friend, Ma’am Menic,” said Janine about the people who supported her all the way.
THE BOUNCE BACK
After the operation and ample time of rest, Janine started doing her therapy sessions at Cardinal Santos Hospital and Peak Form BGC. She also went back to working out at a nearby gym.
Nicadro began her strengthening program and had adjustments to the food that she ate. She also stated that the most important thing was the mental aspect when it comes to getting back after an injury.
“The mental state is also important. The desire of your heart was to continue and be better but your body can’t do so much yet as it still hurts everyday plus it’s like going back to zero again.”
It might be hard for the lady referee to suffer such a setback but she’s still full of gratitude and still envisioning a better future.
“It’s hard but still super thankful for my support system. I think I also became more optimistic as I really wanted to go back to officiating. As my dream is not only going back to the PBA, but also becoming an International Referee one day - that is one thing that gives a burning passion in my heart.”
Currently, Janine is the only female referee officiating for the PBA, as her bestfriend, #42 - Marilee, has retired from professional officiating.
LIFE ON THE SIDELINES
Janine told Scoreline, being a PBA official impacted her life.
In her decade of refereeing experience, - 8 years of which as a pro, she realized that was a long road already and she needed to expand the horizon. That's why she is now eyeing to be an international referee while still doing her job in the PBA and exploring other stuff that can make her better.
“Being an official is not like the normal 8-hour work. It’s being at your best, giving the highest quality of work for 2-3 hours but you have to be in top shape before you go into the battle,” described by Janine about the work ethics that you need to have being a referee.
“Being a referee is a lifestyle, it becomes your way of life already. So you have to align everything - mentally, physically, psychologically, and even spiritually. You should always stay healthy too,” she added.
Asked on what advice she could give for those who wanted to follow her footsteps, she utter these words:
“When you are a PBA referee, you have to stay focused, be in the present, never let distractions enter your mind, and always give your best shot. You also need to take care of your body.”
“You should always remember the word respect. Respect everyone around you and always give respect to yourself too.” she ended.
“Always remember that each one has a calling. You just have to find yours.”
News
Heartbreak in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alex Eala’s incredible 2026 US Open run is over after a brutal three-set battle against her close friend and doubles partner, Iva Jovic.
7–5, 3–6, 7–5.
That scoreline doesn't tell the whole story.
Jovic took the first set.
Alex answered.
She fought back, unleashed her powerful winners and took the second set—her first career set victory over Jovic.
Then came the decider.
Point after point. Rally after rally.
Alex refused to disappear.
But when the match reached its biggest moments, the No. 14-seeded Jovic held her nerve and closed it out.
And yes, it hurts.
But let's not turn a heartbreaking loss into a story of failure.
Because Alex Eala is doing something Philippine tennis has rarely seen.
She is making the world's biggest stages feel like home.
Every Grand Slam match adds another layer to her game. Every painful loss gives her another lesson. Every deep run raises the expectations—and the possibilities—for Philippine tennis.
Today, Jovic gets the win.
But Alex gets something too:
Experience. Belief. And another reason to come back stronger.
The dream didn't end in Arthur Ashe.
It just got another chapter. 🔥🇵🇭
Remember the name.
Alex Eala isn't done. Not even close.
Before Ernie Gawilan became a champion, he was a young boy from Paquibato, Davao City, growing up in circumstances that could have easily broken his spirit.
He was born without legs and with an underdeveloped left arm. He lost his father at a young age.
Life gave him every reason to believe that some dreams were simply out of reach.
Then he found swimming.
In the water, Gawilan discovered something more powerful than what he lacked — what he was capable of.
Stroke by stroke, race by race, he transformed himself from a boy facing extraordinary challenges into one of the Philippines’ most inspiring para-athletes.
🥇 The Philippines’ first Asian Para Games gold medalist
🇵🇭 Three-time Paralympian — Rio, Tokyo and Paris
🏊 A champion who turned adversity into fuel
But Gawilan’s story has never been just about medals.
It is about opportunity.
It is about refusing to let circumstances write the ending.
Every time he dives into the pool, he carries more than the hopes of a nation. He carries the story of someone who was once told, by circumstance if not by words, that his possibilities were limited.
Yet he kept moving.
Some athletes race against the clock.
Ernie Gawilan raced against the circumstances that tried to define him before he even started.
And he won.
His greatest victory may not be a gold medal hanging around his neck.
It may be the fact that every stroke he takes tells another Filipino with a dream:
Your starting point does not have to determine your finish line.
The hardest starting line is sometimes the one nobody sees.
And Ernie Gawilan has shown the world what can happen when you refuse to stop at it. 🇵🇭💪
A champion. A fighter. A symbol of Filipino resilience.
Scottie Thompson made the mistake that everyone saw.
But apparently, some fans also missed everything else he did.
The Gilas Pilipinas veteran became an easy target after committing a crucial five-second inbound violation with seven seconds left in the Philippines’ thrilling 82-81 win over Jordan. The error gave Jordan one final chance to steal the game—only for Kai Sotto to come up with the game-saving block.
The mistake was real. The criticism is understandable.
But reducing Thompson’s entire performance to one turnover? That’s where the criticism misses the bigger picture.
Head coach Tim Cone knows exactly what Thompson brings, and it goes far beyond scoring.
He rebounded. He chased loose balls. He defended Jordan’s best guards, including Jalen Harris and Freddy Ybrahim. More importantly, his presence helped settle Gilas after the team fell behind by a staggering 18 points, 26-8, in the first quarter.
Thompson finished with a +13 efficiency, another indication of the impact that doesn't always appear in the traditional box score.
As Cone put it, people tend to dismiss the “Scottie things”—the dirty work, the defense, the rebounds and the little plays that help a team win.
And that may be the biggest misunderstanding about Thompson.
He doesn't have to be the star to be important.
Basketball isn't always about who scores the most. Sometimes, it's about who does the jobs nobody else wants to do.
So yes, criticize the five-second violation.
But don't let one mistake erase everything Scottie Thompson contributed to the comeback.
Gilas didn't need another scorer that night. It needed a worker. And Scottie did what Scottie does.
Gilas Pilipinas is proving that this team is not one that folds when the pressure rises.
The Nationals overcame another double-digit deficit and stormed back to beat Iran, 68-56, on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, securing their second straight victory in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
It was far from a perfect performance, but that may be exactly what makes the win more impressive.
After escaping Jordan in an overtime thriller, 82-81, last Friday, Gilas once again found itself in trouble early. Instead of panicking, however, the Filipinos responded with the kind of defensive intensity and composure that ultimately turned the game around.
The victory gives Gilas its fourth win in eight games in Group E and, more importantly, another confidence boost heading deeper into the qualifying campaign.
Two games, two comebacks, two statement wins.
Gilas may still have plenty to fix, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear: this team has learned how to fight back.
And when the Philippines plays with that kind of heart and hustle, no lead feels completely safe against Gilas.
The comeback kings are making noise again. 🇵🇭🏀🔥
Michael Martinez may no longer be competing on the ice, but his impact on Philippine figure skating is far from over.
After being offered a coaching role by the Philippine Skating Union, Martinez has embraced a new chapter as a figure skating coach, mentoring young Filipino skaters and sharing the knowledge he gained from years of competition.
And honestly, there’s something inspiring about that transition.
Michael admitted that he still wants to skate, especially when he watches his students and other athletes compete. But coaching has given him a different kind of fulfillment — helping young skaters improve and preparing them for the future.
“As a skater, I get to represent and show what I can really do. But when you’re a coach, you get to share your knowledge.”
That may be Michael Martinez’s next legacy.
He once carried the Philippine flag on the world’s biggest skating stages. Now, he’s helping prepare the next generation of Filipinos who might one day do the same. 🇵🇭❤️
The champion may have stepped off the competitive ice, but he never really left the sport. He’s simply helping others find their own way to shine. ⛸️✨
