Already the fastest-growing sport in the country, pickleball — the racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton — is set for a major breakthrough in the Philippines with the launch of the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour later this year.
Similar to what he did eight years ago when he founded a regional basketball league known as the MPBL, Filipino sports icon Manny Pacquiao is spearheading the efforts to establish the MPPT, which is eyeing eight pioneering franchises for its initial rollout.
The MPPT will be launched as a professional league sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board, with Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao represented in the team-based, weekends-only competition. The inaugural tour will feature a prize pool of no less than PHP 5 million.
“It’s always been my mission to promote sports and give our athletes a platform to showcase their talents and bring pride and honor to their cities and provinces,” said Pacquiao.
“I know it’s a relatively new sport in the Philippines, but it’s exciting and easy to learn. There is an abundance of up-and-coming talents in pickleball in the country. Giving them a chance to represent their cities and provinces will make the experience even more meaningful for them and those in their communities.”
Pacquiao has also taken up the sport recently, playing it as a hobby with his wife, Jinkee, at the gym in their General Santos City compound.
MPPT Chief Executive Officer Joe Ramos said three teams have already confirmed their participation, with the full roster of eight teams expected to be finalized this month.
The MPPT will kick off with a five-leg invitational this year. Each team will field three men’s and three women’s players, competing in men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Round-robin group matches are scheduled on Saturday, with the top teams advancing to the quarterfinals on Sunday. The semifinals and finals are also slated for Sunday.
“This format highlights the depth of talent in Philippine pickleball while creating a competitive and exciting team environment,” said MPPT Commissioner Mark K. Espinosa.
With strong early interest and growing nationwide participation, the MPPT is poised to become the premier platform for professional pickleball in the Philippines.
