Pickleball’s growth in the Philippines can be attributed to its recreational aspect, but a competitive landscape continues to take shape too.
Long before she bought into the pickleball craze, Jen Cayetano was a badminton player, even representing Far Eastern University in the UAAP in the mid-2010s.
Though she had plans to pursue pickleball competitively, Jen initially looked down on the fast-rising sport, and couldn’t avoid comparing it to her original racket sport.
“Nag-start ako mag-pickleball sa Mindanao, kasi ‘yung friends ko niyaya ako. Sa una talaga, basher pa ako ng pickleball kasi I’m a badminton player, so ‘yung whip ng badminton ang layo compared to pickleball! So talagang dati, ayaw ko pa,” she told The GAME in an exclusive interview.
But like many Filipinos getting into the sport, Jen quickly realized the hype behind pickleball, seeing it as an entirely different experience, and a new activity she could invest her time into. Six months into her pickleball journey, Jen became one of many winners in the inaugural Philippine Pickleball Amateur Nationals, supported by Skechers as the official footwear partner of the Philippine Pickleball Federation. Jen ruled the 19-above and 4.0 (advanced) category in the inaugural tourney.
“After two weeks of playing pickleball, sumali ako ng tournament kaagad! So nakita ko na ‘yung hype ng game, na-challenge ako. Kasi parang ang ganda dahil bago lahat, ang daming bago dito and na-challenge ako na matutunan ‘yung pickleball,” Jen recalled.
“As of now, pickleball na lang ‘yung nilalaro ko. Hindi na ako nagbabadminton masyado,” she adds with a chuckle.
More than a pastime
The Amateur Nationals saw around 400 players compete across four age groups (19+, 35+, 50+, 60+) and skill levels (open, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5) last March 28 to 30 at the Tela Pickleball Park in Las Piñas. And for PPF president Shawy Cu, the three-day affair represents another step forward for the local pickleball scene, as it gives players like Jen a structured way to pursue a competitive career.
In fact, winners of the 4.5 category were given a chance to represent the Philippines in the World Amateur Championships in Singapore last April 30 to May 3.
“What this really represents is that we launched the national rankings platform and structure for the country,” she told The GAME. “If we are not the first, we are one of the first countries in the world that has launched and instituted a formal way to really rank players to be part of a national pool, and eventually a national team that will be competing in tournaments.”
According to Cu, the Amateur Nationals was launched along with the Philippine Pickleball Participant Registry (PPPR), where amateur players can earn “points” that will determine their rankings across a year-long stretch.
“We will see and find out who are the top players of the country at the amateur level; so it’s going to roll out for 12 months. Everyone registering and participating in sanctioned tournaments will earn points, and top players will be vying for positions in the national team,” she explained.
If the Amateur Nationals were any indication, then the Philippines has a healthy pipeline of aspiring pickleball professionals. As Cu estimated, around 400 players registered for the weekend. Some even traveled from provinces like Cebu all the way to Las Piñas.
“All the way from Cagayan de Oro, Pangasinan, Cebu, Dumaguete, General Santos, Bacolod, Pampanga, and Quezon. So north, south, east, west,” Cu said. “We were thinking we were going to get about 200 or 250 players, but I think we were near 400 players, 400 unique players.”
Like Cu, Jen sees the Amateur Nationals as the start of something bigger for Philippine pickleball, as it allows even more players to try their hand at competitive play. For this year, she and many other competitors were also laced up in Skechers’ Viper Court, the brand’s dedicated pickleball footwear built for quick lateral movements the sport demands. The Viper Court line features technology including a Goodyear Gold compound outsole for durability, an ArchFit EVA insole system, and Ultra Go cushioning to ensure that pickleball players get nothing but the best performance.
“Maganda ito kasi nagkakaroon ng outlet ‘yung mga players para ma-showcase ‘yung talents nila. Tsaka nakakatuwa dito sa tournament na ito, mayroon pang 60-up, and ang ganda kasi ‘yung iba akala mo nag-retire na sa sports,” said the former badminton player.
“Pero pagdating dito sa first Amateur Nationals, nakakapag-compete na rin lahat. So ang ganda kasi nagkakaroon lahat ng outlet ‘yung mga tao.”
Camille Coronel, Skechers Philippines Marketing Manager, also sees the Amateur Nationals as a huge win for the local pickleball community.
“Skechers Philippines is proud to support the growth of competitive pickleball in the country. The Amateur Nationals is exactly the kind of platform we want to be part of, one that develops serious, homegrown talent,” Coronel said.
Now, what’s next for the Philippine pickleball scene?
High time to be structured
Should everything go to plan, the PPF is looking to hold another National Championship, now known as the Elite National Championship by May or June. Here, Cu said, the top pickleball pros will once again vie for national distinction.
“The winners of that Elite National Championship will be the representatives of the Philippines for the World Cup in around August or September. That’s a higher ranking, and around 68-plus countries are competing,” said Cu.
A juniors tournament is also in the works according to Cu.
“So watch out because that will be the future of pickleball,” she said. “And [the PPF] is also working with several agencies of our government to strengthen and build up our grassroots development program, as well as training centers.”
Going back to the national rankings, Cu says that clubs have been supportive of the development, as well as tournament organizers around the country. After all, these tournaments will now be proving grounds for the next Philippine pickleball stars, she said.
“It’s about time that this sport that’s been growing exponentially to also be structured and organized in a way that will really help it be fair and enjoyable for those who join tournaments,” Cu said of the recent developments. “And where we can really discover talents, and hopefully help them develop and become internationally competitive.”
Given everything, Cu hopes that more and more Filipinos begin to take pickleball as a serious sport — one that’s produced high-level professionals like Leander Lazaro, Anna Clarice Patrimonio, and Sarah Jane Lim to name a few.
“It’s a legitimate sport. It’s competitive. It’s aerobic, and it’s a high-level sport that requires a lot of skill,” said Cu, who previously played competitive table tennis, lawn tennis, and badminton.
Jen said as much when asked about the matter, stressing, “Mahirap siya, and sabi nga, easy to learn and hard to master talaga ang pickleball. Pag titignan mo ‘yung tunog, galaw, mukhang madali.”
“Pero pag ginawa mo na, ang hirap. ‘Yung dinging na ‘yun, kala mo sobrang basic, pero kailangan lahat ng consistency at patience, parang same sa lahat ng sports.”
All in all, Philippine pickleball is on an upward trend, as seen with the Amateur Nationals and the future plans the PPF has in the pipeline. From being brushed off into a mere pastime, it’s grown into an activity where those with competitive genes can find their place too.
And with Skechers as a dedicated partner, it wouldn’t be surprising to see many more initiatives toward Philippine pickleball being turned into reality.
Ready to step up your game? Begin your pickleball journey with the right foundation. Visit the official Skechers website or drop by your nearest Skechers store today to gear up with the Viper Court series!
Images by RJ Ballecer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jen Cayetano is a former UAAP badminton player for Far Eastern University who transitioned into pickleball. Six months into playing, she won the 19-and-above, 4.0 (advanced) category at the Philippine Pickleball Amateur Nationals, one of the sport’s first major amateur competitions.
It’s the inaugural amateur tournament organized by the Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF), held March 28–30 at Tela Pickleball Park in Las Piñas. Around 400 players competed across four age groups and five skill levels, with Skechers serving as official footwear sponsor.
The PPF launched the Philippine Pickleball Participant Registry (PPPR), where amateur players earn points across sanctioned tournaments over a 12-month stretch. Top point-earners are positioned for a national team pool eventually competing internationally on the Philippines’ behalf.
The PPF plans an Elite National Championship by May or June, where top pros compete for spots representing the Philippines at the World Cup against roughly 68 countries. A juniors tournament and grassroots training programs are also in development.
Skechers’ Viper Court line is built for pickleball’s quick lateral movements, featuring a Goodyear Gold compound outsole, an ArchFit EVA insole system, and Ultra Go cushioning. Jen Cayetano and other Amateur Nationals competitors wore the line during the tournament.
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