Team Velaris Dominates PCL Rising Stars U19 Tournament in Davao City
In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, Team Velaris emerged victorious over SABR with a score of 23-21 on Sunday, March 1, 2026, to claim the championship at the Pickleball Champions League (PCL) Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament held in Davao City. This event was a highlight of Pickle Fest 2026, showcasing the best young talent in the sport.
Golden Sweep in Doubles Events
The team, led by players Shesha Bree Biñas, Chrystelle Marjh Elisan, Izzy Lacida, and Jacob Cagas, achieved a remarkable golden sweep across multiple categories. They secured top honors in the women's doubles, men's doubles, and two mixed doubles events, firmly establishing their dominance in this centerpiece competition.
Rewards and Future Opportunities
As a result of their outstanding performance, Team Velaris has earned a prestigious opportunity to compete in the PCL Asia Grand Finals scheduled for April on Hainan Island, China. Additionally, they received a US$1,000 development grant (approximately P57,000) from the Asia Elite Pickleball Academy to support their training and growth in the sport.
The team was also awarded paddles, balls, and official apparel to enhance their equipment. PCL Asia will cover all travel expenses, including airfare, local transportation, and accommodations for the qualifiers, ensuring they can focus solely on their preparation for the upcoming finals.
Other Tournament Highlights
In the tournament's other divisions, SABR, composed of Rose Lieryanne Bacaron, Samanthan Abes, Alva Bual, and Aljamier Usman, took home the silver medal. The bronze medal was awarded to Pickle Homies, represented by Mervic Indagacan, Jenny Tolentino, Rojin Tagimalay, and Jipoy Gildore.
The Open age-group division finals featured several exciting matches:
- Jin Hernandez and Robert Nobleza defeated Roddick Litang and Anthony Byrd with a score of 15-8 in the 20+ men's doubles.
- Juan Carlo Pantua and Aldrin Quintero overpowered Robbie Martinez and Winn Htun, winning 11-4 in the 35+ men's doubles.
- Patricia Adaza and Macy Serrano triumphed over Mary Jane Elisan and Aubrey Rivera, securing an 11-6 victory in the 35+ women's doubles.
In mixed doubles, Juan Carlo Pantua and Patricia Adaza clinched the gold medal by defeating Aubrey Rivera and Rafael Rodriguez with a decisive 11-4 score.
Upcoming Events
Looking ahead, another significant competition, the Net and Paddle Tournament, is set to take place in Cebu City from March 11 to 15, 2026. This event promises to continue the momentum of Pickle Fest 2026, offering more opportunities for players to showcase their talents and compete at a high level.
