Lazaro, Arcilla, Gonzales banner PHL team in Pickleball World Cup
By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Former prominent Filipino tennis stars Leander Lazaro, Johnny Arcilla, and Ruben Gonzales will headline the Philippine National Pickleball team for the upcoming Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, from Aug. 30 to Sept. 6, 2026.
The legendary trio will banner the 38-athlete Philippine delegation that will compete across the Open, Seniors, Masters, Juniors, and Kids categories.
In a statement, the Philippine Pickleball Federation said Lazaro, Arcilla, and Gonzales will lead the PHL Open men’s team alongside Nik Isagan and Patrick Mendoza.
Widely recognized as the No. 1 male pickleball player in the PHL, Lazaro aims to sustain his local success on the international stage after transitioning from professional tennis to the growing sport in 2021.
Meanwhile, Arcilla, the living legend who dominated tennis for over two decades, has shown his quick development in pickleball despite only starting midway through 2024.
Arcilla was a 10-time Philippine Columbian Association Open champion, a mainstay of the PHL national Davis Cup team, and a SEA Games icon.
Lastly, Gonzales, another Davis Cup team member, is aiming to bring his ATP Challenger Tour experience to pickleball.
Previously ranked as the world’s No. 116 ATP doubles player, Gonzales captured the 2022 Republica Dominica Open, ATP Savannah Challenger, and 2021 Trofeul Tiriac-Nastase titles.
Completing the PHL delegation in the women’s division are Sarah Jane Lim-Narvasa, Fatima Amirul, Kelsey Laurente, Lauren Mercado, and Medelene Ramos-Saraza.
The PHL squad will look to replicate its dominant campaign during the Pickleball Champions League Season 1, where it reigned supreme by scoring a convincing 3-0 sweep over Vietnam in the finals.
“Our heartfelt thanks to the partners making this journey possible: Senator Bong Go, Skechers Pickleball, Fabriano Appliances, B’lue, Tela Athletics, and Polland Hopia — and to the Philippine Sports Commission for its continued support of Philippine pickleball,” the Philippine Pickleball Federation wrote in a statement.
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