THE Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Pickle Yard Philippines concluded its Pickleball Champions League (PCL) Asia Season 2 campaign with a bronze-medal finish, emerging as one of the top teams among 27 delegations across Asia.
The tournament, held from December 5 to 7, 2025 at Ramsports in Shenzhen, China, brought together the region’s strongest pickleball athletes for three days of intense matches and world-class competition.
The team delivered standout performances across all divisions, including commanding sweeps in the quarterfinals and semifinals qualifiers.
They secured a 3–0 sweep against Shenzhen, China, to enter the semifinals, proving that the Philippines could go head-to-head with Asia’s powerhouse teams.
In the semifinals against Team Zhuhai, Pickle Yard PH fought hard through every rally, pushing matches to tight scorelines before eventually bowing out.
Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier expressed his heartfelt pride in the team’s achievement, stating: “We are immensely proud of Pickle Yard PH for bringing home the bronze in such a competitive field. Every match was well fought, and they represented the Philippines with heart, discipline, and honor. Their commitment inspires us, and Cebuana Lhuillier will continue supporting their journey as they elevate Philippine Pickleball on the international stage.”
Before advancing to the quarterfinals, Pickle Yard PH delivered a dominant run in the group stages, sweeping multiple matchups against some of the region’s toughest delegations.
The team recorded decisive wins across men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, including shutout victories against Malaysia, Japan, and various China teams, with several matches ending at 4–0 or 4–2 in favor of the Philippines.
In recent years, pickleball has rapidly gained momentum in the Philippines, emerging from niche circles into one of the country’s fastest-growing sports. Local clubs, community courts, and competitive leagues have multiplied nationwide, drawing everyone from recreational players to seasoned athletes. The sport’s accessibility, fast-paced play, and strong sense of community have contributed to its rise in popularity.
