Alexandra Schulze

Pickleball in the Philippines has reached fever pitch

Pro Sarah Jane Lim-Narvasa competing in the Professional Pickleball Association Hongkong Open with partner Aiko Yoshitomi (photo courtesy of PPA)

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ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<p>If you haven’t seen your friends and family posing with paddles, yellow plastic balls, and very big smiles on their faces, there&#x27;s a big chance you will soon. Pickleball has definitely arrived on our shores and it’s here to stay.</p><p>According to USA Pickleball (USAP), the sport was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum in Washington. It started as a way to entertain their bored children with a makeshift game using a lowered badminton net, ping pong paddles, and a perforated plastic ball. The name &quot;pickleball&quot; supposedly came from Pritchard&#x27;s wife, who thought the mash-up of rules and gear reminded her of a &quot;pickle boat&quot; in crew racing. Others say it was named after their dog, Pickles. Either way, the name stuck.</p><p>Unlike padel, which has been described as a mix of squash and tennis, pickleball doesn’t require specialized courts and can be played almost anywhere by almost anyone. Courts originally designed for badminton, basketball, tennis, and even main roads, have been taped with pickleball lines and transformed into spaces where new players can pick up the game and skilled players can take it to the next level.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:879px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759919238543SM Pickleball Super Series.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:879px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Massive pickleball tournaments are constantly held in SM Mall of Asia. <em>Image courtesy of Toby&#x27;s Sports</em></span></span></span></div><p>Pickleball’s  rules are simple. Serve underhand, let the ball bounce once on each side, keep it inside the lines, no volleying while stepping in the kitchen zone up front, and most importantly, have fun.</p><p>According to the <a href="https://www.pickleball.ph/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF)</a>, pickleball first arrived in the Philippines in 2016 via Cebu, where Filipino-American pro player Sara Ash held clinics that sparked the sport’s initial growth. Armando Tantoco, current president of the PPF, recalls the early days: “When we started playing in 2018, it was out of curiosity. It was difficult at the time to get people to try the sport. Only when we began playing street pickleball, in full view of passersby, did we attract the curious and the strong-hearted to give it a shot.” He continues, “At first, only a few clubs played regularly, and beginners would travel long distances just to try it. When they fell in love with the game, they formed their own groups in their communities, companies, or organizations. That’s how most of PPF&#x27;s 283 member clubs were established.” </p><p>These days, the game continues to thrive in the Visayas with coaches like Rnell Ian Arsenal running classes. “Pickleball is everywhere in Cebu. From friends and family members bonding over the game to competitions, tournaments, and even corporate events centered around pickleball — its popularity is undeniable,” he says. Together with his partners at PQLab, Arsenal also runs a grassroots program called Batang Pickleball that he hopes will help build a strong pool of young players who will become top athletes for the country. “We’re not just teaching a sport,” he says. “We’re building discipline, character, and friendships.” He adds, “Pickleball gives people a reason to show up and that consistency is what builds community.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:879px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759869409819_Photo 3.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Coach Rnell Ian Arsenal with his Batang Pickleball program. <em>Image courtesy of Rnell Ian Arsenal</em></span></span></span></div><p>Today, big tournaments are being held weekly across the country and region. One of the sport’s biggest supporters in the Philippines is Toby Claudio, President of Toby’s Sports, who has gone all in on pickleball. “Toby’s Sports is always looking for new ways to help people play a new sport—like when we first promoted badminton, then running—and I’d been wondering what could be next,” he shares. “I finally got into pickleball in 2022 and that’s when I realized why people love the sport so much. It’s fun, easy to learn, caters to all ages and fitness levels, and it’s a very social sport.”</p><p>Claudio has used his brand to power the SM Pickleball Super Series, one of the largest, most organized tournaments in the country, which sold out all team entries in numerous divisions in under three minutes. Toby’s Sports also sponsored a Philippine team that went on to win the first-ever Pickleball Championship League Asia (PCLA) held in China. “It has all the ingredients to become a national pastime—aside from being fun and accessible to all, it’s relatively inexpensive to play. You can put up three courts on every basketball court across the country with just tape and a net. It can be played indoors or outdoors. And as our showing in the first season of the PCLA showed—we can develop world-class pickleball champions.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:879px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759868742159_Photo 4.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Toby Claudio together with Team Philippines, the winners of the first Pickleball Championship League Asia: Ken Unique De La Cruz, Nik Isagan, Fatima Amirul, Meds Saraza, with Coach Kim Saraza. <em>Image courtesy of Toby’s Sports</em></span></span></span></div><p>Sarah Jane Lim-Narvasa, one of the country’s top pro players, sees nothing but growth ahead for pickleball in the region. “Pickleball is going to be huge in Asia. Even now, the prize money here is already so big—that’s why Australians, and even American players, are coming to compete,” she says. “In countries like Vietnam and China, players don’t even need to leave home. They can make a comfortable living just playing domestically.”</p><p>Lim-Narvasa made her pro debut in 2024 at Major League Pickleball (MLP) Australia. Since then, she’s witnessed firsthand how quickly the level of competition has risen across the region. “Back then, you’d only see one to three pros in an international tournament. Now, especially in Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) events, even winning one round is already a big achievement.”</p><p>For those dreaming of turning pro, Lim-Narvasa offers thoughtful advice grounded in experience: “Invest in yourself. Join international tournaments for the experience and exposure. The more you play, the more mature you become as an athlete,” she says. “And work on your perspective. Don’t make winning your identity. Focus on progressing and reaching your full potential. Be humble. Learn from others and be willing to hear what you need to work on.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:642px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759869734559559672968_24345888738427672_81206642878323933_n.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sarah Jane Lim-Narvasa, one of the country’s top pro pickleball players, competing at the PPA Asia Vietnam Open.<em> Image courtesy of PPA Asia</em></span></span></span></div><p>For those new to pickleball, starting your journey with an accredited instructor is one of the best investments you can make. “Filipinos who want to find a certified instructor can choose from four certification bodies,” says Coach Gina Aramburo. “Each one has its own standards and approach—the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), United Pickleball Coaching &amp; Certification (UPCC), Pickleball Global Academy, and the Australasian Academy of Tennis Coaches (AATC), which also offers pickleball training.” She recommends checking the Philippine Pickleball Federation website to find an accredited instructor near you.</p><p>According to Aramburo, “A good instructor will teach proper paddle handling, including the correct grip and stance. You’ll learn the right way to hit the ball, whether from the ground or at the net. Serving and returning are key skills, along with proper court positioning and how to keep score. Learning to stretch properly before and after playing is also essential.”</p><p>After taking several classes, your instructor will let you know when you&#x27;re ready for open play. Open play is an easy, low-commitment way to see what pickleball is all about—you pay a small fee, show up, and get to play with players of all skill levels. This is how you’ll find your pickleball tribe.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:879px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759869862201_Photo 8.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Coach Gina Aramburo holding one of her classes. <em>Image courtesy of Gina Aramburo</em></span></span></span>As for gear, it’s worth investing in a quality paddle, balls, and proper shoes. Grace Woo, one of the country’s elite players and distributor of Gearbox paddles and Alset balls, agrees: “Beginners should start with a solid entry-level paddle, but avoid ultra-cheap options or anything too light or heavy, which often lack durability and control, and can make you prone to injury.”</div><p>She adds: “Beginners often use hybrid balls, but seamless balls are what you’ll see in tournaments. You’ll get better practice and a better feel for competitive play if you train with seamless balls from the start.” On footwear: “Wear court shoes or tennis shoes with good side support, plus cushioned insoles to protect your feet and joints. The right gear doesn’t just help you play better—it keeps you comfortable and lowers your risk of injury.”</p><p>Reia Pelino, an amateur player who just last month climbed to top 20 in the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) for Women’s Doubles in the Philippines and represents Team Reset in competitions, talks about how she and her husband, Gino, have grown through pickleball. “Pickleball has become an immensely valuable part of our lives,” she shares. “It fosters a growing community of all ages and abilities that we learn from and grow with.” Reia and Gino, together with Team Reset, are taking their passion to the next level by building a premier pickleball facility in Filinvest, Alabang, set to open in 2026. The goal is to create not just world-class courts, but also a vibrant hub for play, coaching, and community events that will continue to grow the sport in the South. </p><p>For the couple, it’s not just about the game, it’s about balance, connection, and joy. “Even if we give a lot of importance to training, recovery, and strategy, we never let ourselves take the game too seriously that it gets in the way of enjoyment,” she says. “Overall, pickleball has become a truly joyful way to be healthier in mind and body.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</p><div><em>Cat Juan Ledesma is a former Beauty Editor at Metro Magazine and currently serves as the Communications Director at Beacon Academy, a non-profit high school in Laguna. She fell in love with pickleball in 2023 and plays at least three times a week. She hopes to see you on the court soon.</em></div><div><br/></div><p>RELATED ARTICLES</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/10/4/eight-teams-to-compete-in-pickleball-champions-league-philippines-season-2-1524" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eight teams to compete in Pickleball Champions League Philippines Season 2</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/7/30/asia-s-first-tournament-grade-pickleball-center-to-rise-in-bridgetowne-1440" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Asia’s first tournament-grade pickleball center to rise in Bridgetowne</a><em></em><br/></div>

<p>If you haven’t seen your friends and family posing with paddles, yellow plastic balls, and very big smiles on their faces, we guarantee you will soon. Pickleball, a sport that can be played almost anywhere by almost anyone, has definitely arrived on our shores and it’s here to stay.</p>

If you haven’t seen your friends and family posing with paddles, yellow plastic balls, and very big smiles on their faces, we guarantee you will soon. Pickleball, a sport that can be played almost anywhere by almost anyone, has definitely arrived on our shores and it’s here to stay.

Pickleball in the Philippines: here, there, and not going anywhere

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Pickleball in the Philippines: here, there, and not going anywhere

ABS-CBN Lifestyle,

Cat Juan Ledesma

Published Oct 08, 2025 09:27 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 13, 2025 04:13 PM PHT

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