ALREADY the fastest-growing sport in the Philippines, pickleball – the racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton – is set for a major breakthrough with the launch of the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT) later this year.
Similar to what he did eight years ago when he founded a regional basketball league known as the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), Filipino sports icon Manny Pacquiao is spearheading the efforts in putting up the MPPT, which is eyeing eight pioneering franchises for its initial rollout.
The MPPT will be launched as a professional league to be sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board, with Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao represented in the team-based, weekends-only tour, which will feature a prize pool of no less than PHP 5M.
“It’s always been my mission to promote sports and give our athletes a platform to showcase their talents and bring pride and honor to their cities and provinces,” said Pacquiao.
“I know it's a relatively new sport in the Philippines, but it's exciting and easy to learn. There is an abundance of up-and-coming talents in pickleball in the country. Giving them a chance to represent their cities and provinces will make the experience even more meaningful for them and those in their communities.”
Pacquiao has also picked up the sport recently, playing it as a hobby together with his wife Jinkee in the gym in their General Santos City compound.
MPPT Chief Executive Officer Joe Ramos said that three teams have already confirmed their participation, with the full roster of eight teams expected to be finalized this month.
The MPPT will kick off with a five-leg invitational this year. Each team will have three men’s and three women’s players, competing in men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Round-robin group matches are scheduled on Saturday, with the top teams advancing to the quarterfinals on Sunday. The semifinals and finals are also slated on Sunday.
“This format highlights the depth of talent in Philippine pickleball while creating a competitive and exciting team environment,” said MPPT Commissioner Mark K. Espinosa.
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