Team Philippines made history by capturing the inaugural Pickleball Champions League (PCL) Season 1 crown with a dominant 3-0 sweep over Vietnam in the Asia Finals at Ramsport Stadium in Shenzhen, China.
Composed of Ken De La Cruz, Nik Isagan, Fatima Amirul, and Medeline Saraza, the Nationals displayed a perfect blend of power, precision, and composure—qualities that are helping pickleball gain traction as one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
The Filipinos blazed through the elimination round with a 6-1-0 record (win-draw-loss), their lone draw ironically coming against Vietnam. That result set the stage for a high-stakes championship rematch.
The men’s doubles opened with high drama.
Down 20-16 and facing multiple match points, De La Cruz and Isagan staged a gutsy comeback, rallying to a thrilling 23-21 victory that electrified the crowd.
In the women’s doubles, Amirul and Saraza asserted their dominance early, dismantling their Vietnamese rivals to put the Philippines within a match of the title.
With momentum firmly on their side, Amirul teamed up with Isagan in the mixed doubles, battling through tight rallies before securing the decisive win and sealing the gold medal.
The victory also earned Isagan and Amirul joint Most Valuable Player honors, underscoring their crucial role in the team’s success.
The Philippines’ triumph reflects the rapid rise of pickleball in the Philippines. Once a niche sport, it has been steadily growing in local communities, sports clubs, and school programs, attracting players of all ages for its accessibility and fast-paced action.
