Born2WinPH Forex Bulls claim first Philippine pro pickleball crown
The Bulls’ 500,000 title is bigger than one trophy: it shows Philippine pickleball has crossed into a franchise era.
Born2WinPH Forex Bulls did more than win a final. By claiming the inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League crown at The Pickle Yard on May 9, 2026, they became the first professional franchise-based pickleball champions in the Philippines and took home the league’s 500,000 grand prize.
That matters because PYCL was built to look and feel like a real pro league, not a one-off tournament. The five-month season used corporate-backed teams, an official draft and long-form competition to give Philippine pickleball a structure that could reward roster building, team identity and season-long consistency. An early league format showed just how serious the model was: ten teams entered the first season, and the league held its first draft on February 28, 2026.
The Bulls’ championship roster reflected that ambition. Owners Ferdie and Alyanna Pabalan put the franchise on the map, with team manager Jaysteel Dacudao steering the operation and captain Medelene Saraza leading a group that included Red Directo, Chloe Saraza, Al Quiza, Von Saraza, Engita Levinsohn, Analyn Amoloy and Leandro Fernandez. In a league that also featured Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, Dentacare Pearly Whites, Philex Vanguards, Pertua Stallions and Fortrust Masters, the Bulls’ chemistry and consistency were enough to survive the field and finish on top.
The business significance stretches well beyond one season. The Philippine Pickleball Federation traces organized play in the country back to clinics in Cebu in early 2016, with the Philippine Pickleball Sports Association established on April 15, 2019 before it became the federation now pushing the sport nationally. What began as a grassroots game has grown into a daily habit for thousands of Filipinos, and federation materials now describe an ecosystem of more than 250 member clubs and 17,000 registered players nationwide. Another federation page puts the number even higher, at 270-plus clubs and 18,000-plus players. That kind of spread gives a new franchise league a real base to sell to, not just a novelty audience.
PYCL’s launch is the clearest sign yet that pickleball in the Philippines is moving from community growth into commercial sports territory. The league has already shown it can create weekly attention, meaningful matchups and a championship path that rewards ownership, drafts and club identity. For the Bulls, the title is a milestone. For the sport, it is proof that Philippine pickleball now has a professional template, a recognisable champion and a reason for fans to follow beyond a single day on the court.
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