Members of Padel Pilipinas national team in training. –HANDOUT PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Padel Pilipinas parades the new men’s and women’s national teams in the Asia Pacific Padel Cup (APPC) from Friday to Sunday in Bali, Indonesia.
The country’s Padel Federation, recognized by both the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), founded and led by Senator Pia Cayetano, was unveiled last week ahead of their debut tournament.
The men’s and women’s pools have been training for months at Play Padel, Greenfield District, Mandaluyong before seeing action in the APPC, the first-ever padel competition held among nations in the Asia Pacific region. The Philippines will take on Singapore, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.
“I challenge everyone who’s a part of the team to raise the bar because we are accountable to the Filipino people. I try to inculcate in our players that they must always conduct themselves in a manner deserving to bear the Filipino flag,” Cayetano said.
Coach Bryan Casao, a double-certified padel tactician, is calling the shots for the squads with tennis star Francis Casey Alcantara and Joseph Serra, the top-ranked Filipino padel player, leading the men’s team with team captain LA Cañizares, Mac Gulfo, Qoqo Allian, Johnny Arcilla, Atty. Duane Santos, and Derrick Santos.
“Alam naman natin na ang dream ng bawat athlete is to represent the country and to be part of the National Team. I’m very honored that Padel Pilipinas chose me to be their player and Team Captain in this APPC Nations Cup tournament in Bali. I just wanna say that I’m very proud and very excited to lead the team,” said Cañizares.
Cayetano, the founder and president, headlined the women’s team with Tao Yee Tan, Princess Jean Naquila, Marian Capadocia, and Yam Garsin
“Since this is my first time joining an international tournament, I’m very excited, siyempre makakalaban kami ng nations, we’re gonna represent our country, and I’m very confident naman po na may laban tayo,” Naquila further said.
Padel Pilipinas wrapped up the Padel Pilipinas Open 2024 last week with 108 teams, over 170 players, and 234 thrilling matches spread across eight days of competition.
The federation is also set to hold its last national tournament under the Philippine Islands Padel Tour, the Play Padel Open 2024, in October and the Padel Masters in November.
“We’re very proud, as the sole National Sports Association recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission, to send our official national team to this prestigious international competition, where nations compete against nations–not just individuals or organizations,” said executive director Atty. Jacqueline Gan.