Philippines set for Asia Pacific Padel Cup participation

Pia Cayetano, Atty. Jacqueline Gan, Bryan Casao

The Philippines has a national team for padel.

Padel Pilipinas, the organization representing the sport, unveiled its pool on Friday afternoon at Play Padel located at the Greenfield District in Mandaluyong.

Armed with recognition from both the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, Padel Pilipinas is set to participate in the upcoming Asia-Pacific Padel Cup in Bali, Indonesia this coming September 19-22.

Overseeing the presentation are President and Founder Pia Cayetano, Executive Director Atty. Jacqueline Gan, and head coach Bryan Casao.

In making the announcement, Atty. Gan shares, "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."

Leading the men's side is team captain LA Cañizares. Alongside him are Qoqo Allian, Mac Gulfo, Duane and Derrick Santos, and Joseph Serra.

The Senator herself is part of the women's side, alongside Tao Yee Tan, Princess Jean Naquila, and Yam Garsin. She says, "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."

Also part of the pool are a few notable tennis standouts: Johnny Arcilla, Niño Alcantara, and Marian Capadocia.

A multiple-time champion, Serra is currently the top-ranked padel player in the country and says about his inclusion, "Being part of Team Padel Pilipinas has elevated my game to the next level. It's not about individual wins anymore; it's about achieving success for the team. We're a group of exceptional players, both on and off the court."

Casao shares about the team's preparations for the APPC, "We've been training for two months now. I'm excited for the team, and I can say that our team is ready." The double-certified padel coach has tapped Jaric Lavelle to help with strength and conditioning.

Aside from the Philippines, padel players from Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and hosts Indonesia are set to tangle in the first-ever regional padel competition of its kind in the continent.

Team members have expressed their excitement and readiness to participate in this upcoming event.

Cañizares says, "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."

Naquila adds, "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."

Aside from the unveiling, Padel Pilipinas also shared the successes of the recently-concluded Padel Pilipinas Open. Considered as the biggest padel tournament in the country, with 234 matches being played across eight days of action, with over 170 players from 108 teams participating.

Atty. Gan says that the organization is "very glad, humbled, and proud," about the turnout.

As for competitions for the rest of the year, Padel Pilipinas will hold the Play Padel Open next month, the final event of the Philippine Islands Padel Tour, with the top player from the tour set to participate in the Padel Masters in November.