MONTHS after unveiling the concept, Manny Pacquiao is officially taking the Maharlika brand to pickleball, banking on the sport’s meteoric rise in the country through the inaugural Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT).
Set to open on October 3 and 4 in Angeles, Pampanga, the MPPT will feature 12 regional-based teams competing across five legs, with the top eight squads advancing to the national finals in December based on the ranking points.
Each leg will offer a P1-million prize pool before the tour transitions into a regular season beginning in February 2027.
"This is just the beginning," Pacquiao said during Friday's media press conference where he arrived three hours after the scheduled time.
The founder and chairman expects the league to expand beyond its inaugural field after limiting this year’s competition to 12 teams.
"We're launching this October and I hope next year mas marami pang teams ang ma-accommodate natin. This time, only 12 teams lang muna ang ma-cater natin because this is the inaugural [season] for MPPT," said Pacquiao.
"Ngayon pa lang gusto nang sumali ng marami pero limited lang tayo sa 12 teams. Next year, palalakihin natin ang MPPT para mas maraming manlalaro ng pickleball ang makasali."
The inaugural lineup consists of Abra, Bangued, Pampanga, Muntinlupa, Alfonso (Cavite), Tacloban, Batangas, Rizal, Bacoor, Camarines Norte, Parañaque, and General Santos.
Pacquiao, who's
said the tour’s bigger mission goes beyond staging tournaments.
"Marami tayong matutulungan nito at maraming ma-e-encourage para maglaro ng pickleball," said the boxing icon.
The launch comes as pickleball continues to gain traction across the Philippines with more local clubs, courts, and tournaments emerging over the past few years.
By introducing a regional-based national circuit under the Maharlika banner, organizers hope to provide a competitive platform that can sustain the sports’s rapid growth.
For Pacquiao, the inaugural season is only the foundation.
"Hoping na malayo pa ang marating natin."
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