Members of Team Velaris display their gold medals, replica of scholarship development grant and ticket to the Pickleball Champions League Asia Grand Finals in China after ruling the PCL Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament in Davao City on Sunday (March 1, 2026). Team Velaris beat SABR, 23-21. (Contributed photo)
Team Velaris capped a flawless run with a thrilling 23–21 victory over SABR on Sunday to seize the Pickleball Champions League Rising Stars Under-19 sectional title at the centerpiece event of Pickle Fest 2026 in Davao City.
Powered by the steady play of Shesha Bree Biñas, Chrystelle Marjh Elisan, Izzy Lacida, and Jacob Cagas, Velaris completed a golden sweep of the women’s and men’s doubles as well as both mixed doubles events, stamping its dominance on the tournament and emerging as the undisputed class of the field.
The championship victory earned Team Velaris a coveted berth in the PCL Asia Grand Finals set this April in Hainan Island, along with a USD1,000 development grant from the Asia Elite Pickleball Academy.
The young standouts also received paddles, balls, and official apparel, while PCL Asia will cover their airfare, local transportation, and accommodations for the international showdown.
SABR settled for the silver medal behind the efforts of Rose Lieryanne Bacaron, Samanthan Abes, Alva Bual, and Aljamier Usman, while Pickle Homies, composed of Mervic Indagacan, Jenny Tolentino, Rojin Tagimalay, and Jipoy Gildore, rounded out the podium with the bronze.
In the Open age-group division finals, Jin Hernandez and Robert Nobleza prevailed over Roddick Litang and Anthony Byrd, 15–8, in the 20+ men’s doubles, while Juan Carlo Pantua and Aldrin Quintero dominated Robbie Martinez and Winn Htun, 11–4, in the 35+ men’s doubles.
Patricia Adaza and Macy Serrano claimed the 35+ women’s doubles crown with an 11–6 win over Mary Jane Elisan and Aubrey Rivera. Pantua and Adaza later teamed up to secure the mixed doubles gold medal, dispatching Rivera and Rafael Rodriguez, 11–4.
With momentum building for the fast-growing sport, action continues as the Net and Paddle Tournament heads to Cebu City from March 11 to 15. More details are available through the official channels of Pickle Fest 2026.