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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Manny Pacquiao launches pickleball tournament; winning team per leg gets P1 million

Manny Pacquiao launches pickleball tournament; winning team per leg gets P1 million

Published Jul 31, 2026 07:03 pm

At A Glance

  • Top pickleball players vie for precious points and glory when the first leg of the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT) fires off on Oct. 3 and 4 in Angeles, Pampanga.
Top pickleball players vie for precious points and glory when the first leg of the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT) fires off on Oct. 3 and 4 in Angeles, Pampanga.
Sanctioned by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), the inaugural pickleball tournament, spearheaded by boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, welcomes 12 teams from Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao in the five-leg competition.
Pacquiao, tournament's founder and chairman, is optimistic of making the sport grow bigger.
"Today is about welcoming the teams that will become part of MPPT history. These 12 founding teams represent different communities that share one vision – to help grow pickleball in the Philippines. This league is more than a tournament; it is an opportunity to develop athletes, inspire future generations, and build a lasting legacy for the sport,” said Pacquiao.
“Marami na nag-inform na gusto nilang sumali. But next year pasalihin natin sila para mas malaki tayo next year… at siyempre marami tayong matutulungan at mae-encourage na maglaro pa ng pickleball. Hopefully, mapalaki pa natin,” he added.
According to MPPT Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joe Ramos, the inaugural competition offers a hefty prize as each winner per leg takes home P1 million.
"The introduction of our founding teams is a defining moment for the MPPT,” said Ramos. “Their commitment has laid the foundation for a league that is built on collaboration, professionalism, and a shared passion for the sport. We are equally grateful to our partners, whose support has helped transform this vision into reality."
Two more legs are set in November, while the finale is scheduled in December where the top eight teams figure in the championship round.
Completing the cast for the much-awaited tiff are host Pampanga, Abra, Batangas, Bangued, Muntinlupa, Alfonso and Bacoor of Cavite, Camarines Norte, Rizal, Parañaque, Tacloban, and General Santos City.
There are three men’s and three women’s picklers per team and all of them compete in the doubles and mixed doubles even

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