The Philippines is gearing up for an exciting debut at the inaugural Asia Pacific Padel Cup (APPC) from September 19-22, 2024, in Bali, Indonesia. The competition will take place at the Amare Padel Club Umalas, and it promises to be a major milestone for Filipino padel athletes, with Philippine Senator Pia Cayetano leading the charge.
A Star-Studded Lineup
The Philippines is sending a highly competitive squad, featuring a mix of national champions from both tennis and padel. The women’s team includes Padel Pilipinas President Senator Pia Cayetano alongside Tao Yee Tan, Princess Jean Naquila, Yam Garsin, and tennis star Marian Capadocia, an eight-time Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open singles champion. On the men’s side, the team boasts PCA Open men’s singles 10-time champion Johnny Arcilla and Southeast Asian Games medalist Francis Casey Alcantara, supported by top players Duane and Derrick Santos, Argil Lance Cañizares, Raymark Gulfo Abdulqoahar Allian, and Mhar Joseph Serra.
National Pride on the Line
According to Mhar Joseph Serra, the current top-ranked padel player in the Philippines, this tournament is more than just a personal challenge: “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.”
Preparing for Battle
The team has been training under the supervision of double-certified padel coach Bryan Casao, with additional guidance from strength and conditioning coach Jaric Lavelle. Casao is optimistic about the team’s readiness, stating, “I challenge everyone who’s a part of the team to raise the bar because we are accountable to the Filipino people.”
Leading the Charge
Senator Pia Cayetano, also a seasoned athlete, emphasized the importance of representing the nation on an international stage: “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.”
Padel Pilipinas Executive Director Jacqueline Gan echoed these sentiments, further stressing the significance of sending an official national team to the APPC Cup.
Facing Stiff Competition
The competition will be tough, with other participating nations including Singapore, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Yet, team captain Argil Lance Cañizares is optimistic: “Every athlete dreams of representing the country. I’m very honored that Padel Pilipinas chose me to be its player and team captain. I’m very proud and excited to lead the team.”
A New Era for Philippine Padel
This will be Princess Jean Naquila’s first international tournament, and like the rest of her teammates, she is eagerly looking forward to the competition. “We’re gonna represent our country, and I’m very confident that we have a good chance,” said Naquila.
The Future of Padel in the Philippines
The team’s participation in the APPC Cup comes on the heels of the recently concluded Padel Pilipinas Open 2024, which saw an impressive turnout of 170 players from 108 teams competing in 234 matches. The tournament was a significant milestone for the sport in the Philippines, with Jacqueline Gan describing it as the largest padel tournament in the country’s history.
With more tournaments lined up, including the Play Padel Open 2024 in October and the Padel Masters in November, the Philippines is solidifying its place in the world of padel.
For more information, please visit the Philippine News Agency’s Website.
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