Novice Champions Crowned at Kosmas Pickle Fest 2026 in Davao

Marcial Alapag III and Michael Ibañez captured the men’s doubles 20+ Novice title at Kosmas Pickle Fest 2026 in Pickletown, Davao City, defeating Nur Sultan Pumbaya and James Astacaan, 15-8. Philstar Sports Hub framed the Novice nights as dominated by “sharp net play,” spotlighting Alapag and Ibañez’s precise third-shot drops and well-timed put-aways.

The Kosmas Pickle Fest 2026 Adult Categories Sectional Tournament was organized by Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corp. in partnership with Sunrise Events, Inc., with the PCL Asia Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament serving as the event’s centerpiece. The Novice slate in Pickletown ran through multiple age classes on Feb 27, 2026, with action to move to higher divisions later in the weekend.

Philstar’s match narrative detailed how Alapag and Ibañez “showcasing sharp court awareness, disciplined shot selection and smart kitchen control, banked on precise third-shot drops and well-timed put-aways to outduel Nur Sultan Pumbaya and James Astacaan, 15-8, and clinch the gold medal in the men’s doubles 20+ age class.” The report added that the pair “dictated the tempo early, mixing deep serves with patient dink exchanges before finishing rallies with decisive overhead smashes.”

In the women’s doubles 35+ Novice final, Tereza Tanzo and Emma Florida won gold with a 15-7 victory over Stephanie Yap and Kathryn Ortiz, a result Philstar credited to the duo as they “imposed their net presence and consistency to secure a 15-7 romp.” Christian Falcon and Joy Serra took the 20+ mixed doubles Novice crown, defeating Arthur Fermo and Janyenn Garsuta, 15-7, as Philstar noted the champions “capitalized on attacking opportunities.” In 35+ men’s doubles Novice play, Michael Tanzo and Adrian Pineda overwhelmed Pije Leopoldo and Marc Carracedo, 15-6.

ManilaTimes highlighted a dramatic 15-14 finish when “Michael and Tereza Tanzo edged Pineda and Florida, 15-14, surviving a tense back-and-forth contest.” Philstar’s coverage names Michael and Tereza Tanzo as the 35+ mixed doubles gold medalists, but the two reports do not explicitly connect the 15-14 line to a specific round in both copies; the 15-14 score stands in the reporting as one of the day’s most thrilling encounters.

Low Intermediate finals in Davao also produced clear results: Rolan Uy and Carlos Arceo beat Joshua Culanag and Roland Sueno, 15-9, in Low Intermediate 20+ men’s doubles; Kimberly Haw and Elaine Romero downed Kimberly Go and Dorothy Ibañez, 15-3, in Low Intermediate women’s doubles; and Jeycel Esnardo and Nur Pumbaya captured Low Intermediate mixed doubles, 15-10 over Rey Chan and Mikaela Calo.

ManilaTimes noted the schedule will shift next to the High Intermediate level on Friday, with the Open division set to commence Saturday. Separate registration is ongoing for a Net and Paddle Tournament in Cebu City scheduled March 11 to 15, with organizers directing interested parties to the Pickle Fest 2026 Facebook page for details. Coverage and event materials framed these Novice victories as a signal of continued grassroots enthusiasm for pickleball in the Philippines.