The pair of Joanna Tao Yee Tan and Mariam Yasmin Garsin (3rd and 4th from left) settles for the silver medal in the pro female category of the Manila Open, the third leg of the Asia Pacific Padel Tour, at Padel Play in Mandaluyong City on Sunday (Feb. 23, 2025). Padel Pilipinas founder, Senator Pia Cayetano (3rd from right), awarded the medals to the top finishers. (Contributed photo)
On Sunday night, the Philippines secured three silver medals at the Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT) Manila Open held at Padel Play in Mandaluyong City.
In the professional women’s final, No. 2 ranked Joanna Tao Yee Tan teamed up with Mariam Yasmin Garsin, but their campaign ended with a 1-6, 2-6 defeat to Japan’s Kotomi Ozawa and Spain’s Elizabeth Nogueras.
Tan also claimed a silver medal in the professional mixed category with Argil Lance Cañizares. Their run was halted when they fell to Ozawa and Malaysian Christian Didier Chin, 4-6, 5-7.
Over in the professional men’s final, Spanish pair Pol Asina and Eduard Altimeres Ros edged out fellow Spaniards Marc Bernils and Sergi Nogueras Lorenz with a 7-6, 6-4 victory.
In the amateur segment, Malaysians Tiong Hoey Chua and Wee Ming Hock won the men’s title by overcoming Belgium’s Kobe Cuppens and Alexandre Renard, 6-3, 7-6. Meanwhile, Lune Wang and Luciana Ingaramo captured the women’s title after defeating Filipino duo Mayumi Jane Toribio and Elmira Pagot, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. In the amateur mixed final, Hiu Laam Isabella Chan and Tsz Yan Adrian Yao decisively beat the team of Wang and Giorgio Berni, 6-1, 6-1.
Senator Pia Cayetano, founder of Padel Pilipinas, views the Manila Open as a significant stepping stone for the Philippines to become a global sports hub. “I think it’s a great opportunity for the Philippines to really be in the loop of sports hosting because that’s where the world is going, the wellness and sports tourism,” she remarked.
A strong advocate for sports development, Cayetano noted that events like the APPT Manila Open provide a vital platform for showcasing Filipino talent and for local athletes to connect and compete with international players. “Meeting new faces is always good for the sport. We’re strengthening our friendships with the different teams all over the region,” she added.
She also emphasized the importance of building a robust national team. While the country has produced exceptional individual athletes, Cayetano stressed the need for a more systematic approach to nurturing future generations. “The goal is to build a strong team that’s inspirational and continuously learning,” she concluded.
