The Philippines captured its first-ever Asia Pacific Padel title after finishing the tournament unbeaten, capping the run with a 3-0 sweep of Hong Kong in the Final on Sunday at Joy Division Padel 2 in Selangor, Malaysia.
Composed mostly of top-tier tennis players, including one of the country’s all-time greats, Johnny Arcilla, the Nationals went one step higher than last year’s runner-up finish to Indonesia.
With the defending champions absent this time, the Filipinos seized the opportunity to shine and claim the crown.
Arcilla, a multiple-time PCA Open men’s singles champion, delivered two of the team’s three victories in the title match.
He first paired with former De La Salle University standout Argil Lance Canizares for a commanding 6-0, 6-2 win over Chun Ho Chow and Sean Lo.
Arcilla then teamed up with Joanna Tao Yee Tan to clinch the championship, 7-5, 6-2, against Aziz Khan and Hiu Laam Chan.
Earlier in the competition, the Philippines had already defeated Hong Kong, 4-1, in the group stage, after opening its campaign with a dominant 5-0 sweep of Pakistan.
The Nationals went on to complete a group-stage sweep with another 4-1 victory, this time over host nation Malaysia.
Canizares and Arcilla sealed the tie with a clinical 6-2, 6-0 triumph against Wee Ming Hock Vincent Jones Jr. and Harith Ramlan.
In the semifinals, Jed Aquino (DLSU) and Fritz Verdad (UAAP Season 76 and 77 MVP from NU) powered the Filipinos past South Korea with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 rout of Kim Kwangwoon and Kim Hyunjung.
Arcilla and Tan then secured the Finals berth by completing a 3-0 sweep of Malaysia, winning 6-2, 6-3 over Daniel Prickett and Melanie Lau.
Rounding out the champion squad were Abdulqoahar Allian, Mac Gulfo, Derrick Santos, Bryan Saarenas, Mariam Yasmin Garsin, Danna Abad, and Joshea Malazarte, who all contributed to the historic feat.
