The Soft Tennis Pilipinas team captured a historic gold medal in the mixed team event of the 9th Asian Soft Tennis Championship following a 2-0 sweep of China in the best-of-three finals at the Mungyeong International Soft Tennis Stadium in Mungyeong, South Korea.
Perpetual Help standouts Joseph Arcilla and Samuel Nuguit delivered in the men’s doubles with a 4-1 victory, while Bien Zoleta and Princess Catindig matched their feat with a 4-1 win in the women’s doubles.
“This win also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan,” said head coach Michael Enriquez.
Lt. Colonel Bobby Moran, president of the Philippine Soft Tennis Association, lauded the team’s effort: “I congratulate our players for bringing home the country’s first-ever gold medal in an Asian-level tournament. Their hard work and training truly paid off.”
The Filipinos reached the championship round by dominating Cambodia, 2-0, in the quarterfinals and sweeping India, 2-0, in the semifinals.
Prior to the tournament, the national squad held a training camp from August 24 to September 13 in Sunchang, Korea. Joining Arcilla, Nuguit, Zoleta, and Catindig were teammates Sherwin Nuguit, Adjuthor Moralde II, Jason Caminting, Shyryn Salazar, Bea Ebriega, and Airies Nuguit.
They were mentored by head coach Enriquez, with assistant coaches Josephine Paguyo, Wenifredo De Leon Jr., and Mark Anthony Alcoseba.
