Gabe Tardio Signs With Facolos Ahead Of PPA Tour Asia Debut

Twenty-year-old doubles specialist Gabe Tardio has signed a paddle sponsorship with Vietnam-based Facolos and will use the company’s EliteX Pro Series paddle as he targets PPA Tour Asia events in 2026. The contract runs through 2027 and includes a co-branded collection of paddles, accessories and apparel, part of Facolos’ broader plan to expand internationally and enter the U.S. paddle market in 2026.

Tardio arrives in Asia as a high-profile young pro. PPA Tour Asia lists him at No.2 in Men’s Doubles and No.6 in Mixed Doubles and credits him with more than 40 PPA gold medals, while TimesNowNews described him as World No.4 in men’s doubles, a ranking discrepancy that highlights the need to verify current official standings before tournament play. The PPA Tour Asia profile also notes Tardio is Bolivia-born and that Asia represents for him “the adaptation challenge at scale.”

Equipment and style were central to the deal. Facolos’ EliteX is described by company materials as engineered for exceptional grip, spin and precise control, attributes that suit Tardio’s tactical approach. PPA Tour Asia quoted Tardio saying, “Funnily enough, a lot of the new tech in paddles is just power, and for me power doesn’t actually suit my game. I’m more about having control and spin, trying to create angles.” He added that Asia’s different play styles and conditions are part of the lure: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge in Asia. I know the play style over there is different, and you’re playing in different conditions as well. It’s all about making adjustments and that’s one of the reasons why I love the game.”

Facolos framed the signing as a strategic investment in product and regional profile. Võ Trần Quỳnh Trang, Vice General Director of Facolos, said, “This collaboration is a strategic investment to elevate product quality, raise performance standards, and strengthen the position of Asian pickleball on the international stage. Gabriel Tardio is a young, exceptionally talented athlete with an impressive competitive record and a deep passion for the sport. He is constantly driven to reach new heights in his professional career. That mindset perfectly aligns with Facolos’ vision of supporting players at every level of development.”

Tardio is slated to make his PPA Tour Asia debut at the MB Hanoi Cup, an event expected to draw strong local interest and a field that includes Collin Jones, Tyra Black and Tyson McGuffin. The signing also plugs into a wider industry shift. Commentary from industry outlets notes a wave of Asian brands securing UPA-A certification and signing pros, with examples such as Luzz signing Chris Haworth and observers saying, “For American paddle makers, says Zane, that could be both a wake-up call and a warning.”

For fans and manufacturers, the deal matters on two levels. On court, Tardio’s preference for placement, spin and angles will test how Facolos equipment performs under pro doubles pressure. Off court, the partnership is a marker of Asian brands pushing into U.S. market space and using pro signings to accelerate brand recognition. The immediate next chapter will be MB Hanoi Cup results and the first look at Gabe Tardio swinging the EliteX under Asian conditions and global scrutiny.