By Edwin Rollon
RACKET sports of Padel got the needed shot in the arms as Padel Pilipinas co-host the Asia-Pacific Padel Tour (APPT) Manila Open this weekend at the Play Padel in Mandaluyong City.
Over 300 athletes from 100 teams across Asia and Europe are confirmed to participate in the sport's most prestigious Tour, boosting the effort of Padel Pilipinas headed by Senator Pia Cayetano to strengthen its grassroots program and popularity of Padel in the country.
“We expressed our heartfelt gratitude to APPT for allowing us to co-cost the Manila Open. This event will surely create awareness in the sports and give our elite athletes a chance to show their skills and talents against the best in the world,” said Attorney Jacquelin Gan, Executive Director of Padel Pilipinas, speaking on behalf of Senator Cayetano during the media conference on Thursday.
“Part of her [Cayetano] vision is three key goals, among many others. First, to implement the nationwide grassroots program, making padel more accessible to Filipinos. Over time, this includes efforts to develop public courts,” added Gan who also expressed her gratitude to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and sponsored led by Joma, the official outfitter and equipment brand.
Gan added that Padel Pilipinas “also focused on developing our national team, and this tournament is a test and challenge to our local athletes as they test their mettle against some of the world's high-rank players.”
Already etched their mark in the international pedal scene following the breakthrough win of Joanna Tao Yee Tan and partner Marian Capadocia in the APPT Singapore Masters last year, there is high hope for the Filipinos campaign.
Indeed, APPT president Carlos Carillo gives high regard to Filipino players.
“With the absence of Russia, I considered the Philippines a tough contender. Spain and Japan are sending tough teams, but the way the Filipinos play internationally, they’re a team to beat,” said Carillo.
The Philippine team has been in full training mode since January, according to head coach Bryan Casao.
“Everyone is in shape, everybody is excited to play — even me coaching them on the sideline,” Casao said.
Although Capadocia, the 10-time Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) champion is not around to attend to pressing matters, Casao remained confident with the team’s lineup.
Tao Yee, the APPT No.2 rank women’s double, will now pair with Marian Yasmin Garsin. The second-ranked team debuted against the tandem of high-caliber Anna Christine Patrimonio and Bambi Zoleta in the first round of the professional women’s doubles class on Saturday.
The amateur division has started on Friday, while the mixed and men’s doubles are also set on Saturday with the championship round scheduled on Sunday.
"I'll do my best and make our country proud again," said Tan, who also bagged a silver medal with Capadocia in last year’s APPT Tour in Bali, Indonesia.
APPT Director David Maxwell also expressed his gratitude to local partners for making the tournament possible and congratulated Padel Pilipinas for putting up a world-class padel court.
“We have a great representation from the Filipino Padel community so (we are) hugely grateful for the support of this club and the community. We expected high-octane action as the playing venue is so wonderful,” Maxwell said.
Meanwhile, the APPT also announced its partnership with Joma, a renowned global sportswear and equipment brand based in Spain, as the official sponsor.
Maxwell also announced that the registration for the Batangas Open on the first week of March is still open.
