FILIPINA pickleball standout Macy Solon-Ybañez shone on the international stage after capturing the gold medal in the 35+ Women’s Singles Open of the recent PPA Asia 500 Kuala Lumpur Open in Malaysia.
Ybañez was not done there, as she later teamed up with fellow Filipina Jessica Agra to secure the silver medal in the women’s doubles event of the same tournament.
Agra and Solon-Ybañez displayed poise and composure in the 19+ women’s doubles division, battling through a stacked field before settling for a runner-up finish after a tightly contested finals match.
Their podium finish came a day after a tough semifinal loss in the 35+ category, despite earlier defeating the eventual gold medalists during the group stage.
Refusing to be discouraged, the Filipina duo regrouped and returned to the court with renewed determination, showcasing strong chemistry and control as they strung together back-to-back victories en route to the finals.
“That was a great run. We gave it everything we had,” Agra said after the match. “There were so many learnings during this tournament, and we’re excited to keep improving.”
The Kuala Lumpur Open, part of the PPA Asia 500 circuit, attracted top pickleball players from across Asia, making the Filipinas’ silver-medal finish a significant achievement for the Philippines’ growing presence in the sport.
