THERE’S no other person prouder than Bien Zoleta’s historic medal at the 20th Asian Games than younger sister and fellow national player Bambi Zoleta.
The multi-titled netter from Lucena City said she was ecstatic upon learning that Bien and the quintet of Princess Catindig, Noelle Manalac, Hilary Paas, Shyryn Sanosa, and Christy Sanosa bagged the bronze medal in women’s team event of soft tennis in the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
READ Women's soft gtennis team breaks the ice for Team PH
The medal was the Philippines’ first in this 20th edition of the Asiad - and the country’s first in the sport in 32 years, or since the event made its debut in the 1994 Hiroshima Games.
“Super proud because I know their sacrifices in training and the kind of competition they faced there,” said Bambi, 34, who won the gold in women’s doubles of soft tennis in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila with Bien as her partner.
Bambi, who started her career as a national team member of lawn tennis, was also a part of the women's team that bagged the gold in the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games along with Bien, Princess Catindig, Christy Sañosa, Fatima Ayesha Amirul, and Virvienica Isearis Bejosano.
But Bambi said she’s done with soft tennis now after shifting to padel and later, to the ever-growing pickleball.
The Filipina will actually be part of the first ever Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour or MPPT which officially kicks off on Oct. 3-4 at the PHPC court in Angeles City, Pampanga.
It’s the country’s inaugural pickleball pro league founded by boxing great Manny Pacquiao in partnership with Solar Sports. It’s likewise sanctioned by the Games Amusement Board.
Bambi heads the Rizal Illustrados, one of the 12 pioneer teams that will be vying for the P1 million prize money.
“It’s certainly a boost to pickleball. Alam naman natin na it’s the fastest-growing sport not only here in the country but around the world as well,” said Zoleta during the official launch of the event on Monday at the Solar Century Tower in Makati.
Other teams seeing action are the Pampanga Chiefs, Bacoor Strikers, Muntinlupa Smashers, Pampanga Chiefs, Batangas Bangers, Alfonso Siklab, Bangued Miki, GenSan Punchers, Paranaque Titans, Camarines Norte Golden Hawks, and Abra River Paddlers.
MPPT Commissioner Mark Espinosa and Solar Sports president Wilson Tieng led the contract signing during the formal launch.
Pacquiao, 47, and wife Jinkee, who are both pickleball enthusiasts, are expected to attend the opening ceremony.
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